LYY and ROTKO, representing the students of Lapland’s higher education institutions, consider the cuts to students’ income decided in the session on spending limits to be unreasonable and unjust. For example, a higher education student living in Rovaniemi, the change will cut support by around € 2 000 per year.   

The cuts in income are a contradiction to the government’s aim to increase the share of those with higher education as the conditions for studying deteriorate. In addition, the cuts to student income will prolong graduation times as work becomes a requirement alongside studies. In addition to the cuts in subsidies, other measures agreed in the framework agreement, such as the increase in VAT, will also make it more difficult for students to make ends meet.   

In the Lapland region, there is fierce competition for part-time jobs. For example, jobs in the service sector are highly seasonal, during which studies are in full swing. Summer jobs, on the other hand, are in short supply and do not necessarily match the applicant’s level of education or experience.  

When graduation is delayed, months of study allowance quickly run out and students fall on income support. This, combined with the fact that Universities of Applied Sciences charge for applying for extra time, and a similar change is planned for university students, will lead to excessively expensive and prolonged graduation. 

“The government’s decision to make students pay for the economic adjustment with such massive measures is not reasonable. We would have preferred fairer solutions,” says Laura Horsma, the Chair of the ROTKO Board.  

The government’s cuts will hit the housing of students studying in Lapland particularly hard. Tourism is an important source of income for the whole of Lapland, but its continued growth will raise the cost of housing, which is already unreasonably high. 

According to statistics from the city of Rovaniemi, the number of unregistered overnight stays in the city increased by 49 % in 2023 compared to the previous year. It is inevitable that the increase in short-term rentals will lead to higher rents, which will especially affect low-income students.  

In addition to the increase in rents, there is already some degree of housing shortage in Rovaniemi. As the number of tourists increases, there is a risk that more people will rent to tourists rather than to students, as it is more financially profitable. 

“Frankly speaking, Rovaniemi is an expensive student city. Solutions must be found quickly if we want to ensure that it is possible to study in Lapland in the future,” says Roope Rantala, the Chair of the LYY Board.   

The Student Union of the University of Lapland (LYY) and the Student Union of the Lapland University of Applied Sciences (ROTKO) are inviting representatives of the Domus Arctica Foundation, the City of Rovaniemi and the Lapland University Consortium LUC to jointly discuss measures to improve the situation of students and strengthen the vitality of the region. 

For more information:     

Roope Rantala    

Chair of the LYY Board    

puheenjohtaja(at)lyy.fi    

p. +358 45 137 9026  

Laura Horsma  

Chair of the ROTKO Board  

puheenjohtaja(at)lapinrotko.fi  

p. +358 40 152 8500