Changes to housing benefits – read instructions and apply for the new housing supplement in good time

Student housing allowances will change in August. The information in this bulletin concerns you only if you are eligible for financial aid from the Finnish Social Security Institution Kela. You can read more about international students’ eligibility for financial aid on Kela’s website.

What will change?

• General housing allowance will no longer be paid to students after 31 July 2025. The change will not apply to students who live with their child or their partner’s child.
• After that date, students who qualify for student financial aid will be able to apply for a student housing supplement.
• The housing supplement is a personal benefit. This means that everyone who qualifies for it must apply for it separately. Applications can be submitted in OmaKela from June onwards – make sure to submit your application in good time.
• The student housing supplement is paid for active months of study, and the same annual income limit applies to both the housing supplement and student financial aid.
• Please note that you can only apply for the housing supplement for August 2025 if you study in the summer and are paid student financial aid during the summer. If you do not study in the summer, you are eligible to receive the housing supplement from 1 September 2025.
• The student housing supplement can be paid only to your own bank account. It cannot be paid directly to your landlord.

Follow up-to-date information on the topic on Kela's website. If you have any questions about the change, please contact Kela's customer service.

Photo: Tapio Haaja (Unsplash)

(Bulletin first published on April 14, 2025.)