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\u2019s child. They will be eligible for general housing allowance also in the future.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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\u00a0216, EUR\u00a0248 or EUR\u00a0296 per month, depending on the municipality in which the student lives.<\/p>\n
The entitlement to and the amount of the housing supplement will be affected only by the student\u2019s 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\u2019s or roommate\u2019s incomes.<\/p>\n