Student support
Welfare
You can find extensive information about student financial aid on the Kela website.
Student financial aid
Students of legal age who live independently receive a study grant of €279.38 per month of support. The study grant is awarded from the beginning of the application period and cannot be applied for retroactively. Normally, you can receive student financial aid for 9 months of the year, but if you study during the summer, you can also apply for student financial aid for the summer months. If you are the guardian of a minor child, your student grant will be slightly higher and you will receive a guardian’s supplement of €141.63 per month of support. The number of children or who the child lives with does not affect the amount of the student grant.
You must pay tax on the student grant. Previously, Kela made an automatic withholding tax deduction from the student grant, but this practice changed at the beginning of 2019. If you have other income in addition to your student grant, take the student grant into account in your taxation. Check that your student grant and other income remain below the income limit stated on your tax card or, if necessary, order a new tax card.
Student loan
The state guarantee for student loans is €850 per month of support, and €1,000 per month of support when studying abroad. Student loans can be taken out according to the months of support, i.e. in principle for 9 months per year. If you receive student financial aid for the summer, you can also take out a student loan.
A poor credit score entry no longer prevents you from obtaining a loan guarantee, but the bank may still refuse to grant a loan guarantee because of the score.
If you take out a student loan during your higher education studies and complete your degree within the time limit set by Kela, you may be eligible for a student loan compensation.
Housing supplement
You can receive a housing supplement to your student financial aid if you live in rented accommodation or a right-of-occupancy apartment and are eligible for student financial aid. If you are not eligible for student financial aid, you are not eligible for a housing supplement either. The housing supplement is paid for each month of study. You can receive a housing supplement for studies completed both in Finland and abroad.
—-The amount of the housing supplement depends on the municipality in which you live and the size of your housing expenses. The amount of the housing supplement is also affected by whether you live in a home rented from your parents or owned by your parents, abroad, or in student housing. The income of your parents or spouse does not affect the amount of housing allowance. If you live in an apartment owned or rented by your parents, you can receive a housing allowance of up to €83 per month.
The amount of housing allowance is 80% of your acceptable housing expenses. If your housing costs exceed the maximum amount of acceptable housing costs, you will have to pay the excess amount yourself. If your housing costs are less than the maximum amount of acceptable housing costs, you will receive a housing supplement of 80% of your housing costs.
If you have to cancel or return your student financial aid, for example to increase your annual income limit, you must also cancel or return your housing supplement. You cannot receive general housing allowance for the months for which you cancel your student financial aid.
If you live with your spouse in rented accommodation, your share is always half of the total housing costs for the apartment. If you and your spouse have separate rental agreements, both of your housing costs are added together and divided in half. If you or your spouse has a child who lives with you in the same apartment, you are not usually eligible for the housing supplement of student financial aid. In this case, you should apply for general housing allowance.
Housing
In general, student housing is the most affordable option. However, finding a place to live can be difficult, especially in the capital region, due to the housing shortage. For example, Hoas is only able to offer housing to about one-fifth of applicants in the fall. It is therefore a good idea to start looking for housing well in advance.
Students can often also apply for rental apartments in their home town. Small apartments are the most sought after, but larger apartments may be available for student families and groups of friends, for example. You can find information about municipal rental apartments from the links below:
Where to look for student housing?
Capital region
HOAS is by far the largest provider of student housing in the capital region. All Laurea students, regardless of campus, can apply for HOAS housing at https://www.hoas.fi/en/
In addition, some organizations offer student housing, but often the application requirements include studying at a specific university or being a member of the organization.
Porvoo
In Porvoo, Laurea students can apply for student housing through the Porvoo student housing website: https://porvoonkodit.fi/en/asunnon-hakijalle/kohteet/opiskelija-asunnot/.
Hyvinkää
In Hyvinkää, students can apply for housing through Hyvinkään Vuokra-asunnot Oy.
Lohja
Information about student housing in Lohja can be found on the website of the Luksia vocational college. Luksia students have priority for student housing in Lohja, but Laurea students can usually also get such housing: https://www.luksia.fi/opiskelijalle/asuminen/
What if I can’t get student housing?
In addition to this, you can look for apartments on the private market. Many real estate agencies have information about available rental apartments. In addition, many municipalities and regions have their own Facebook groups where you can post your housing needs and possibly find a suitable rental apartment.
Public transportation
The links below will take you to the public transport websites for the following campus communities:
HSL
All students registered in Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa, Kauniainen, Siuntio, Kirkkonummi, Sipoo, Kerava, and Tuusula are eligible for a 40% discount on HSL season tickets. The discounts only apply to season tickets; there are no discounts on shift season tickets, single tickets, series tickets, or additional zone tickets. You can update your student status on your travel card at an HSL service point, and you can also get the discount with the HSL app.
For more information on ticket types and public transport zones, visit the HSL website: https://www.hsl.fi/en/tickets-and-fares/discounted-travel/student-discount
You can find HSL routes in the route guide
City bikes
Helsinki and Espoo have affordable city bikes. For more information about the bike network and prices, visit the HSL website: https://www.hsl.fi/en/citybikes
Other student discounts on transportation
As a student, you are also eligible for discounts on VR long-distance and local trains and Matkahuolto buses. You must be able to prove that you are a student, for example with a student card.
well-being
Are you struggling with your studies, feeling overwhelmed, or dealing with other worries in your life? You are not alone, and Laurea, Laureamko, and other organizations are here to help. Below is a list of some organizations you can contact.
YTHS
The Finnish Student Health Service (YTHS) provides student health care services in accordance with the Health Care Act to higher education students completing a basic degree.
The health check-up for first-year students begins with the TerveysStartti survey. The aim of the survey is to give you an idea of your health status and to help target services as early as possible at the beginning of your studies. As a first-year student, you will receive an invitation to a health check-up, which consists of the
- TerveysStartti survey
and - If necessary, an appointment with a nurse and/or dental health professional.
Student health care services include the following:
- promoting and monitoring the health and safety of the educational institution’s study environment and the well-being of the student community
- monitoring and promoting the health, well-being, and study ability of students
- health check-ups according to individual needs
- organizing health and medical services
- mental health and substance abuse work
- promoting sexual health
- oral health care (dental hygienist, dentist, wisdom tooth removal)
- early identification of students’ need for special support or examinations, as well as supporting students and, if necessary, referring them for further examinations or treatment
Book an appointment via the FSHS chat or by calling: https://www.yths.fi/en/using-services/contact/
Laurea’s well-being, guidance, and career services for students
Study psychologists
The aim of the study psychologist service is to support students’ well-being, study ability, and mental health amid various life challenges. You can come to the reception to discuss your life situation and find tools for better self-awareness and problem management. Study psychologists offer students discussion support, participate in courses that support well-being, and develop well-being support measures implemented at Laurea.
School pastors
You can contact the educational institution pastors if, for example, you want to talk about your relationships, your well-being, the direction of your life, or your religious or spiritual reflections. You do not need to belong to a religious community to use the services of the educational institution pastors. The conversations are free of charge, and the pastors are bound by strict confidentiality regarding your personal matters.
School pastors organize a variety of activities, such as retreats and relationship courses, in collaboration with the well-being working group and the Laureamko student union. Get actively involved in the activities.
You can find the contact details of the campus chaplains on the student portal (Info only available in Finnish).
Harassment contact persons
Laureamko has two harassment contact persons. A harassment contact person is a support person you can turn to if you have experienced inappropriate treatment or witnessed harassment.
The harassment contact person provides advice and support in resolving harassment situations. Discussions are completely confidential. Laureamko’s harassment contact persons are our employees who have been trained to act as harassment contact persons.
Read more and get in touch: https://laureamko.fi/yhteystiedot/hairintayhdyshenkilot/
Nyyti ry
Nyyti ry is a national association that promotes students’ mental health and ability to study. Nyyti ry offers a wide range of information and activities related to mental well-being and coping with everyday student life. For example, Nyyti regularly hosts chats where you can find anonymous peer support and tips from professionals.
MIELI Suomen Mielenterveys ry
MIELI Finnish Mental Health Association offers a wide range of help in life crises. In acute situations, you can call the crisis helpline anonymously. Mental health professionals and trained volunteers are on duty at the helpline. The Finnish Association for Mental Health also has peer support groups specifically for young people and young adults.
The Finnish Association for Mental Health’s crisis helpline (09 2525 0116) is available 24 hours a day, every day.
Sekasin chat
Sekasin chat is a chat service maintained by MIELI Finnish Mental Health Association, where you can chat anonymously with mental health professionals and trained volunteers. The chat is open every day of the year, Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to midnight and Saturdays and Sundays from 3 p.m. to midnight. In the chat, you can talk about any topic that is on your mind (Sekasin chat is only available in Finnish and Swedish).
Preventive substance abuse work EHYT ry
EHYT is a national expert organization for preventive substance abuse and gambling harm work. One of EHYT ry’s goals is to prevent substance abuse among students through the KUPLA activities that originated from the KUPLA project. Through these activities, you will find training and materials for your use. EHYT ry also offers low-threshold support if you are concerned about your own or a loved one’s substance abuse.
Substance abuse counseling is available around the clock (0800 900 45). Calls are free, and you do not need to give your name.
Are you looking for friends?
As a Laurea student, you can use the Frendie friend app. Laurea has its own Frendie Pro environment in the app, which you can log into to find friends within Laurea. You can find more information about the app on Laurea’s student intranet (Only in Finnish).
Poikkeamo provides support for everyday student life
Poikkeamo provides information, advice, support, and guidance on general issues related to studies and student well-being for degree, pathway, and exchange students. You can turn to Poikkeamo especially if your question is not related to a specific field of study, but to studying in general. You can book an appointment for a discussion on Teams. In addition, Poikkeamo organizes various workshops, information events, and webinars to support study progress and student well-being, as well as peer group activities. More information on the student intranet (Only in Finnish).