How much student financial aid can you get in 2026?
According to Kela, the study grant for a higher education student living independently is €279.38 per month. For one living with parents, the study grant is €43.15–204.42 per month depending on the parents' income. A guardian of a minor child also receives a €141.63 guardian supplement, which does not need to be applied for separately. No index increases are made to the study grant in 2024–2027.
The state guarantee for a student loan is €850 per month for an adult studying in Finland. The housing supplement is applied for in OmaKela at the same time as the study grant. According to the summary published by Taloustaito in September 2026, the housing supplement is at most €296 in the capital region, at most €248 in 24 growth centres and at most €216 per month in other municipalities. The full housing supplement is received when housing costs are at least €370, €310 or €270 per month respectively.
How much can a student earn?
The income limit for student financial aid is calculated from the income of the calendar year and depends on how many months of aid you draw. The fewer months of aid, the more you can earn.
The income limit counts, for example, wages, but according to Kela, student financial aid and housing benefits are not counted as income. It is worth considering summer jobs already in spring: if you earn a lot in the summer, it may be cheaper to leave some autumn support months unused than to repay support later.
- 9 months of subsidy: €20,127 a year
- 10 months of support: 17 890 € a year
- 12 months of support: 13 416 € a year
- 6 months of subsidy: €26,838 a year
- In calculation terms, you may earn 1,118 € per subsidy month and 3,355 € in a month without a subsidy.
If the income limit is at risk of being exceeded
If your income exceeds the limit, Kela recovers the overpaid support and adds a 7.5% increase to it. You can avoid the increase by giving up support months in advance or by repaying the support voluntarily. The repayment must be made by the end of April of the following year.
In the year studies begin and the year they end, you can earn income freely before studies start and after graduation. If studies are interrupted, the income of the whole year is taken into account. Check your own situation with Kela's student financial aid calculator.
What is coming in August 2027?
Kela announced on 25.9.2026 that the government proposes changes to student financial aid from 1.8.2027. Under the proposal, someone graduating within the target time would receive a student loan credit of 45% of the part of the loan exceeding €8,000, up to a maximum of €7,000. The changes have not yet been approved, so follow Kela's announcements.
Adult study without adult education allowance
The adult education allowance was abolished and has not been granted for studies starting on or after 1.8.2024. However, an employed person can still take study leave: under the Study Leave Act the right arises when the employment with the same employer has lasted at least a year, and you can receive study leave for up to two years within five years. Study leave of more than five working days must be applied for in writing at least 45 days before the studies begin. Study leave is unpaid unless otherwise agreed.
The rules for unemployed people studying changed on 1.7.2026. A jobseeker aged 25 or over can now study open university and university of applied sciences courses without them limiting unemployment benefit. Summer university and adult education centre studies do not limit the benefit either. The job-search obligation remains unchanged.
Many adults also study alongside work at an open university or complete a vocational or specialist vocational qualification through competence tests. Before starting studies, it is worth finding out whether studying may affect the benefits you receive, and asking your employer about flexible working hours.
Where to find more information?
Kela advises on student financial aid, the unemployment fund or Kela on the effects of unemployment benefit, and your own employer on study leave. Opintotutka brings together student aid amounts, application periods and employer training options on one page.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the study grant in 2026?
The study grant for a higher education student living independently is €279.38 per month. In addition, you may receive a housing supplement and a state guarantee for a student loan, which is €850 per month.
How much can you earn on student aid in 2026?
With nine support months, annual income may be at most €20,127, and with twelve €13,416.
Can you still apply for the adult education allowance?
No. Adult education allowance is not granted for studies starting on or after 1.8.2024.
Do you get paid during study leave?
Study leave is by default unpaid unless pay has been agreed in a collective agreement or with the employer. Annual leave can accrue for at most 30 study leave days.
Calculate it yourself
Ready-made tools
- Student budget and application calendar · Monthly budget, student financial aid and application deadlines
Sources
- Kela: Study grant in higher education (updated 1.10.2026)
- Kela: How does income affect student financial aid?
- Kela: How Kela's benefits will change in 2026
- Kela: Government proposes changes to student financial aid from 1.8.2027 (25.9.2026)
- Kela: Adult education allowance loan guarantee will not be granted for new studies from August 2024
- Finlex: Study Leave Act 273/1979
- Duunitori: Study leave (2019)
- YTK / STT Info: The right of unemployed people to study is transformed (30 June 2026)
- Taloustaito: A student keeps income and benefits on track (3.9.2026)
The article is general information and does not replace the guidance of an authority, a lawyer or an adviser. Check up-to-date information from the sources.