2024
The purchasing power of the student aid and the conditions for full-time study are secured by increasing the amount of the provider supplement and the amount of the state guarantee of the student loan.
In addition, the number of withdrawal times for non-university students' student loans during the semester will be increased. The purpose is that the student loan would be more than sufficient for the entire school year.
There will be no index changes to the level of the study grant in the years 2024–2027.
2023
The income thresholds for student financial aid raised by 50 per cent from the level of 2021. The meal allowance, which lowers the price of meals in student restaurants, increased by EUR 0.25 to EUR 2.55 per meal from 1 January 2023 onwards.
In addition, the normative duration of a degree programme, entitling students who complete their studies in the target time to claim study loan compensation, extended by one academic year if the student proves that the delay in their studies was due to a state of war (such as the war in Ukraine) or equally serious exceptional circumstances.
2018-2022
The student's own income limits affecting study grant will be temporarily increased by 25 % in 2022.
Study grants are increased annually on the basis of the National Pension Index (2020-2022).
The impact of the Covid-19 epidemic on study conditions is taken into account in the terms of the student loan compensation, student loan tax deduction and school transport subsidy (2020 and 2021).
Meal subsidy is EUR 2.30 per meal on 1.1.2021.
A provider supplement will be introduced and increased (2018, 2020). A supplement for study materials is taken in use and a need-based assessment of parents income will be reduced and the support period for upper secondary education will be extended (2018, 2019).
The right to study grants and school transport subsidy extends to basic education students who have reached compulsory school age (2019) and to students in free education (2021).
2017
The ratio of loans to overall student financial aid is increased in higher education, and students become eligible for general housing allowance.
2014
Student loan compensation replaces student loan deduction; amendments to make loans practicable enter into force.
2011
The criteria for granting school transport subsidies are revised.
2005
Tax-based student loan deduction introduced; an incentive for graduation with the normative period.
2002–2013
Increases to various elements of aid: the magnitude of state guarantees, study grants and housing supplements and to the income thresholds of the student and those of the parents and to the size of the meal subsidies.
2001
Adult education allowance.
1998
An annual income model is adopted, making it easier to balance financial aid for students and earned income.
1997
School transport subsidies for students in upper secondary schools and vocational training are adopted.
1994
Major reform in the system of financial aid for students; the focus shifts more towards study grants than previously.
1977–1987
New elements are added to the financial aid for students system: housing supplements, meal subsidies, interest rate subsidies and adult study grants.
1972
The current form of financial aid for students was introduced – initially mainly composed of study grants and student loans.
Yhteystiedot - Yhteystietonosto
Virpi Hiltunen, Ministerial Adviser
Ministry of Education and Culture, Nuoriso- ja liikuntapolitiikan osasto (NUOLI), Strategia- ja ohjausryhmä (SORY) Telephone:0295330110 Email Address: [email protected]