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Applying for student financial aid from Kela

Student financial aid is the most important source of income for many students, but it is not paid automatically once you get a study place. If you apply in good time and correctly, your first payment arrives without delay. This guide takes you through the application step by step.

You will need

Steps

  1. Check the eligibility criteria

    You can get student financial aid for full-time studies at upper secondary level or in higher education when your studies last at least eight weeks. Check kela.fi for the conditions related to age, housing and your parents' income.

  2. Apply as soon as you accept your place

  3. Fill in the application in OmaKela

  4. Estimate your income

  5. Apply for the housing supplement at the same time

  6. Take out a student loan with care

  7. Keep track of your study progress

  8. Report changes

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