The upcoming changes to student financial aid will affect students’ financial situation during the summer. The housing supplement can be granted to students living in rental or rightofoccupancy housing. It is tied to the study grant and paid for months in which the student receives financial aid. 

During the summer, students’ income may be based on employment, summer studies, or basic social assistance. Students completing summer studies can receive the study grant, housing supplement, and student loan for the summer months. To qualify, students must complete 5 ECTS per month, meaning 15 ECTS in total over the summer. Please note that using financial aid during the summer will reduce the total number of aid months available later. 

It is also possible to receive basic social assistance during the summer without losing one’s study right or registering with employment services. Since the benefit is last resort support, students must first have withdrawn their full student loan. Students may receive basic social assistance if they cannot complete summer studies or have not secured summer employment despite active job searching. In these situations, Kela does not lower the basic amount of social assistance. 

The University of Lapland has published its available summer study offerings. The university has increased the number of summer courses to support students who wish to use financial aid during the summer in a sensible way. Degree students may also take courses from the Open University free of charge. Summer courses can be found in Peppi under Summer Studies in the study guide. 

Sources: 

Kela.fi: https://www.kela.fi/financial-aid-for-students-housing-supplement  

Ulapland.fi: https://ulapland.fi/en/for-students/study-planning/summer-studies/