If you are a citizen of another EU or EEA or of Switzerland, you can get financial aid even if you have come to Finland to study.

• You can get financial aid if you are employed in Finland for at least 4 months with an average of at least 10 hours of work per week, or if you have taken out statutory pension insurance for self-employed persons. The entitlement to financial aid for students only continues for the duration of the employment.
• You can also get financial aid if you have been granted the right of permanent residence in Finland under the Aliens Act.

You can also get financial aid if you are the family member of a citizen of another EU or EEA country or of Switzerland who is employed in Finland.

Apply for financial aid in the same way as other students. Enclose with your application the Appendix to application for student financial aid filed by foreign resident (OT 10e), if you have not previously received financial aid in Finland.

Financial aid for students – OT 2e – https://www.kela.fi/documents/10192/3861304/OT2e.pdf

Appendix for application for student financial aid filed by foreign student – OT 10e – https://www.kela.fi/documents/10192/3861304/OT10e.pdf

(https://www.kela.fi/web/en/financial-aid-for-students-eligibility)

Student loan:

You can get a government guarantee for a student loan if you are being paid a study grant.

(https://www.kela.fi/web/en/financial-aid-for-students-student-loan)

How to apply:

https://www.kela.fi/web/en/financial-aid-for-students-how-to-apply

1. Apply for financial aid online. Log in to Kela’s online customer service using your bank ID or a mobile ID. Please note that the e-service is available in Finnish and Swedish only.
2. Scan or take a photo of supporting documents and send them online.
3. Visit our e-service to see if your application has been decided, how much you will get and when you will be paid. You can also see any possible reminders concerning, for instance, documents missing from your application. A written decision on your application will be sent to you by post.

Alternatively, you can complete and print out an application for financial aid. Mail your application along with the supporting documents to Kela, PL 10, 00056 KELA.

When should I send the application:

If a student wishes to receive financial aid starting from September. Their application must reach Kela by 30 September. If they mail their application on 30 September, but it arrives on 1 October, financial aid can be granted from the beginning of October.