Student financial aid for foreigners

Student financial aid is available for foreign citizens if:

1. Their residence in Finland is considered to be permanent

and

2. they have moved to Finland for a reason other than studying.

For more information look at: http://www.kela.fi

Financial aid comittee

Anna Maria Ylä-Jussila, Secretary of the Financial Aid Committee
Skinnarilankatu 36, 53850 Lappeenranta
Tel. 020 496 6631, faksi 020 496 6588
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The purpose of the Financial Aid Committee is to follow the progress of the student degree plans, including summer terms and foreign exchange periods, to ensure that the study amount is sufficient to meet the criteria for student financial aid. The committee’s job is to spontaneously give statements to the Office of Social Welfare (KELA) confirming that the criteria are being met by the students for financial aid whenever KELA asks, or on request by the student.

Members serve on the Financial Aid Committee in 2 year terms, and the committee at Saimaa University of Applied Sciences is comprised of 4 representatives from the faculty and support staff, 4 student representatives with personal deputies, and a secretary. The identities of the committee members is found on the bulletin boards of the units as well as in the Student Affairs offices.

The Financial Aid Committee handles applications for summer student aid, applications filed by students whose studies are based on personal study plans, and applications from students who have not completed their studies within prescribed time limits. Information on student financial aid that is to be applied for to the Financial Aid Committee can be obtained from the committee secretary. In other matters related to student financial aid (receipt and checking of applications, notification of the discontinuance of studies, advice and counselling), contact your unit’s Student Affairs Office.

Student financial aid

Student financial aid is available in the form of study grants, housing supplements and government guarantees for student loans. Study grants are liable for taxation. Eligibility for a housing supplement or a general housing allowance depends on the form of your housing and your family relations. Student loans are available from banks on application.

Student financial aid can be granted to full-time students whose studies have progressed satisfactorily and who need financial assistance. First year students only need to prove that they have been admitted to an educational establishment as full-time students. Senior students have to show that they have made satisfactory academic progress. A minimum of 5.0 credits per month are required in order to qualify for student aid.

For additional information on student financial aid, contact the Student Affairs Office of your unit or check KELA’s web pages at http://www.kela.fi (also in English).

Controlling the full-time status of students

The Financial Aid Committee monitors the progress of studies and the full-time status of students annually on the basis of credit record data. Students themselves are responsible for notifying the KELA Centre for Student Financial Aid about all changes in their full-time status, housing and income as well as other relevant information to ensure that financial aid is not paid during the months for which they are not eligible for it. For each month when a student has received student financial aid, the number of months for which financial aid is available is decreased by one. With certain exceptions, the number of months is usually decreased by one even if a recovery claim is made and the student has to pay back the financial aid for the month in question.

Financial aid for studies abroad

You can also get financial aid for studies that take place abroad, provided that they are equivalent to your studies in Finland or are part of the degree that you will complete in Finland. Applications for student financial aid (usually for OTm) should be left with the Financial Aid Board along with an attachment explaining how the planned studies abroad will apply to the Student’s degree plan, and should equal approximately 5.0 credits per month of exchange period.

Summer aid

You can receive financial aid for studies even in the summer, provided that the maximum number of months during which financial aid is available is not exceeded. Summer aid is available in June, July and August.

Eligibility criteria for summer aid

• The studies or work placement/clinical practice carried out in the summer are part of your polytechnic degree.
• The Financial Aid Committee considers that you are a full-time student.
• You pass the normal means test (your total income and the annual exempt amount are taken into account).
• If you spend the summer in work placement/clinical practice, your eligibility for study grant depends on your monthly pay.

Applying for summer financial aid

Summer financial aid is applied for using the form OTm (with which changes to circumstances related to financial aid are notified). Attach a description of your summer studies to the application. Applications are available from the units’ offices. Complete the form with data relevant to the time of application, and specify the type of aid you are applying for and for which period. The application is handled by the Financial Aid Committee of Saimaa University of Applied Sciences. File your application with the Student Affairs Office of your unit or directly with the secretary of the Financial Aid Committee by the middle of May.

Sick leave for students

Full-time study is the official work of the students. If you are unable due to illness to keep up with your studies, it would be wise to apply for sick leave. If it is known that your sick leave will last for at most 2 months, you may still receive student financial aid during this time.

Compensation for sick leave requires a Physician’s statement as to your inability to study. Students are not eligible for sick leave benefits and general housing allowance until their student financial aid benefit has been cancelled. More information about sick leave for studies http://www.kela.fi.