Financial aid for foreign students
Non-Finnish students may be granted student financial aid for studies in Finland if they live in Finland on a permanent basis for a purpose other than studying (e.g. work, family ties or remigration). Foreigners, who have come to Finland to study, are not entitled to receive Finnish financial aid for students.
Registration of people as permanent residents of Finland is based on the Municipality of Residence Act (201/1994). They have to be registered as permanent residents on the Finnish population register system. Reasons for staying in Finland are assessed on the basis of regulations outlined in the Aliens Act.
On the basis of the Aliens Act, foreigners are divided into three categories:
1. Citizens of the Nordic Countries
Student financial aid may be granted if the student has submitted an Inter- Nordic Migration Form in his home country and if his/her residence in Finland has been registered according to 3 § of the Municipality of Residence Act (351/1994). If the student has been accepted by a Finnish educational institution before registering his/her residence in Finland and if he/she is not residing in Finland for other purposes, he/she is not eligible to receive student financial aid. If the student is accepted into a Finnish educational institution after he/she has registered his/her residence in Finland, he/she is eligible to receive student financial id.
Student financial aid may be granted on the basis of family ties once residence in Finland has been registered.
2. Citizens of EU member states, citizens of Liechtenstein and Switzerland and their families
Student financial aid may be granted if the right of residence has been registered and if the purpose of residing in Finland is other than for studying. The person receives a certificate registering their right of residence which states the purpose for registration. The purpose of residence in Finland is assessed on the basis of information stated on the registration form and the application for student financial aid. Student financial aid may be granted if the student has a residence permit and if the purpose for residing in Finland is other than for studying.
Family members are eligible to receive student financial aid if their right of residence has been registered on the basis of family ties or if a member of their family has a residence card.
3. Foreigners other than EU and equivalent citizens
Student financial aid may be granted if the student has a permanent or continuous residence permit. The residence permit must include the letter P (for permanent residence permit) or A (for continuous residence permit granted as a fixed-term residence permit).
The purpose of the residence permit must be other than for studying. A person studying with a temporary residence permit (B) is not eligible to receive student financial aid.
Applying for student financial aid
The application for student financial aid is submitted to the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (KELA) or to the educational institution in question. If the applicant has not received student financial aid in Finland previously, appendix for foreign residents available from the educational institutions or the Social Insurance Institution of Finland must be included with the application.
Further information:
- Educational institutions
- Offices of the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (KELA)
- Centre for Student Financial Aid of the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (KELA)
