Parliament has decided to transfer students from the general housing allowance scheme to the student housing supplement scheme. Students have been eligible for general housing allowance since autumn 2017. Starting in August 2025, students will again be included in the student housing supplement scheme.
Parliament has approved the legislative changes concerning assistance with housing costs for students. Following the changes, the majority of students will be transferred from the general housing allowance scheme to the student housing supplement scheme. The changes will not concern those who live with their child or their spouse’s child. They will be eligible for general housing allowance also in the future.
For those who are transferred to the student housing supplement scheme, the payment of housing allowance will end in July and the housing supplement can be granted at the earliest starting from August. Housing supplement must be applied for separately with the notification of changes for financial aid for students. New students apply for housing supplement at the same time as other types of student financial aid.
The housing supplement will be available to students who live in rental or right-of-occupancy housing. In the future, the housing supplement will be 80 percent of the rent or the residence charge. However, the maximum rate of the housing supplement will be EUR 216, EUR 248 or EUR 296 per month, depending on the municipality in which the student lives.
The entitlement to and the amount of the housing supplement will be affected only by the student’s own income. The incomes of other persons who live in the home will not affect the amount of or the entitlement to the housing supplement. Housing supplement can be granted even if the student has not previously been entitled to general housing allowance for instance due to the spouse’s or roommate’s incomes.
The student housing supplement will only be paid for months of study, unlike the general housing allowance, which has been paid throughout the year.
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