Student housing benefits will change in summer 2025

Student housing benefits will change this August. We have compiled in this article what students should know about the changes. It is a good idea to start preparing for the change now.

Students have so far received general housing allowance from Kela. In August 2025, students will be transferred from receiving general housing allowance to the housing supplement of student financial aid. In practice, this means that for a large number of students, the amount of money received for housing from Kela will be lower than before.

The change will take effect on August 1, 2025. The last time general housing allowance can be received is in July 2025.

Starting in August, student benefits will consist of study grant, government guarantee for student loans, and the housing supplement of student financial aid. The amount of the housing supplement depends on housing costs and personal income.

For students living in the Helsinki metropolitan area, the housing supplement can be 80 percent of the rent, meaning a student can receive a maximum of 296 euros per month.

The full housing supplement can be granted if the rent is at least 370 euros per month. A higher rent than this does not increase the amount of the housing supplement.

If you live in an apartment with a rent lower than 370 euros, you will receive less housing supplement. You can estimate your future housing supplement by multiplying your monthly rent by 0.8. However, Kela always makes the final decision on the housing supplement, so be sure to check your own situation directly with Kela.

You can receive the housing supplement if you receive student financial aid and live in a rented apartment.

The change in student housing benefits does not apply to students living with their own children or their spouse’s children; they can still receive the general housing allowance.

The amount and eligibility for the housing supplement of student financial aid are determined solely by your own income. Your spouse’s or roommate’s income does not affect it. For example, a couple in which both partners are students will each receive their own housing supplement.

If you are a student but your partner is not, you can receive the housing supplement regardless of your partner’s income or any housing benefits they may receive. Your partner’s income does not affect the amount of housing supplement you get.

The housing supplement of student financial aid is only available for months when you are studying. From Kela’s perspective, this means the months in which you also receive student financial aid. University students are entitled to 9 months of aid per year, while other students can receive 10 months.

During the summer, you can receive the housing supplement only if you are studying and receive summer student financial aid.

The housing supplement makes handling student financial aid matters simpler. Since the housing supplement is part of student financial aid, you will only need to apply for one benefit from Kela and follow the related rules, such as the income limit.

The same annual income limits apply to the housing supplement as to other student financial aid. For example, your paycheck does not separately affect the amount of the housing supplement; instead, Kela considers your student financial aid as a whole and applies the income limits accordingly.

Always remember to report any life changes that affect your student financial aid to Kela.

If you are already a student and receive student financial aid, apply for the housing supplement through OmaKela e-service using the notification of changes for financial aid for students. The application can be submitted starting in June 2025.

If you are starting your studies in autumn 2025, apply for the housing supplement at the same time as you apply for other student financial aid.

Kela will provide more detailed instructions on applying for the housing supplement during spring 2025.

If the changes to housing benefits mean you can no longer afford your current rent, you can apply for a more affordable apartment from Hoas. We cannot guarantee a new apartment, but in the spring, it is generally a bit easier to find one than at the start of the semester. Don’t wait until summer to apply, as the available apartments are usually offered to students who are just beginning their studies.

Apply for a new apartment by filling out a housing application. Check rent prices in advance and only include apartments in your application that you would be willing to accept if offered. The most affordable Hoas apartments are typically shared apartments and/or located further from the city center.

The new housing supplement also makes it easier to live with a partner or roommate, as your cohabitant’s income does not affect the amount of the supplement. You can apply for a family apartment together with a friend or partner.