Continuing student, be prepared for changes to housing benefits!
Note: this change concerns only those students who are eligible for Finnish social security.
University students will be eligible for the housing supplement on 1.8.2025, which means that the general housing allowance for students will cease on 31.7. Student benefits will not automatically switch to the housing supplement for students, but will have to apply for it separately. You can apply for the housing supplement now, and by applying soon, you will ensure that you receive it in time.
August is the first month for which students can apply for the student housing supplement. You can get the housing supplement for the months you withdraw your study grant. Kela requires you to study 5 credits for each month of support (i.e. the month in which you withdrew your student grant). In order to receive a study grant for the whole academic year (September to May), you must complete at least 45 credits. If you want to withdraw your study grant and housing allowance for the months of June, July or August, you must have completed 5 credits per month. If you work while studying, make sure that your income does not exceed the income limits. You can read more about income limits on the Kela website.
The student housing allowance is personal, so the income of other people living in the apartment does not affect the amount of the allowance. The supplement is 80% of the housing costs, but it is a maximum of 248 euros per month in Oulu.
Example 1: You live in a rented studio apartment with a rent of €350 per month. You receive €248 in housing benefit. As the maximum amount of housing benefit is €248 per month, the remaining costs must be covered by other income.
Example 2: You live with your student spouse in a rented flat with a rent of €400 per month. This means that your housing costs are €200 per month per person. You both apply for a housing allowance for yourselves and receive a total of €320.
If you live with your student spouse, both of you must apply for the housing allowance independently. If your spouse is not a student, you should apply for the housing allowance yourself. Your spouse’s income does not affect the amount of your housing allowance. People living in a shared flat must also apply individually.
Other information:
- You cannot get the housing benefit if you live in an apartment which you own.
- For a flat owned by a parent or rented from a parent, the housing allowance is 83e per month.
- This change does not apply to students living in the same flat with their own or their spouse’s child. They will still be eligible for general housing allowance.
If you are worried about your income, you can contact OYY’s Specialist of Social Affairs Essi Leinonen at help@oyy.fi. During the summer holidays, messages will be answered by the vice chairs of OYY.