Student income
As a student of the University of Vaasa you can apply for financial aid through Kela’s online services.
The student financial aid is mainly meant for Finnish citizens. However you may qualify for financial aid if:
- you have been granted a continuous (A) or permanent (P) residence permit or an EU residence permit for third-country nationals (P-EU or P-EY) or a residence card as referred to in the withdrawal agreement between the EU and the United Kingdom.
- If you are a citizen of another EU or EEA country or of Switzerland, the family member of such a person, or a citizen of a Nordic country, you only have to register your right of residence or present your residence card.
- if you are living in Finland permanently and you have arrived in Finland for some other reason than to study. Such a reason can for example be employment, family ties or return migration
More information can be found on Kela’s website.
As a student, you are also entitled to a housing supplement for student financial aid starting August 1, 2025.
The University of Vaasa Career Services will also provide guidance on employment and training.
Students are also entitled to social welfare services from the Ostrobothnia welfare region and, under certain conditions, also to income support. More information is available on the welfare region's website.
In all matters relating to income you can contact the Student Union’s Specialist in Students Interests.
Students with families
As a student with a family, you are entitled to Kela’s family benefits. If you study during maternity, paternity, or parental leave, you may also be eligible for student financial aid.
If you are the guardian of a child under 18, you can receive a guardian supplement to your study grant. As of 1 January 2024, this supplement is €141.63 per month in addition to the basic study grant of €279.38 per month.
Read more about financial aid for students with families.
VYY is committed to improving the everyday life of students with families at the university. If you have ideas for development in this area, please contact VYY’s Advocacy and Social Policy Specialist.
Summer income
You can receive student financial aid during the summer if you are completing studies that are part of your degree on a full-time basis. Summer typically includes the months of June, July, and August.
You can receive aid for lectures, exams, internships, and thesis work. Apply for student financial aid for the summer through Kela using the financial aid change notification form. Please note that the months of student aid used during the summer are counted towards your total number of aid months.
As of 1 August 2025, students will transition from general housing allowance to the housing supplement under the student financial aid system. If you are studying during the summer, you will also be eligible for the student housing supplement.