Studying Expenses

Degree students are exempt from tuition, but they have to pay the expenses for their own study materials. Students pay the student union’s (OSAKO – Student Union of Oulu University of Applied Sciences) membership fee annually to get a student card (30 € / academic year 2011–2012). The student card allows students certain benefits and discounts (in travelling, etc.). All students get a meal subsidy card that entitles them to have inexpensive meals at student restaurants (max. around 2.60 EUR/a meal). Students can take care of their physical condition by taking part in sports activities arranged by the Welfare Services of the Oulu University of Applied Sciences. A sports pass is available for 30 euros / academic year and it allows the student to take some sport shifts free of charge and others at reduced price. Further information on sports at www.oulunkorkeakoululiikunta.fi.

The majority of Finnish students are financially supported by the Finnish state. Foreign students are entitled to the students’ financial aid only with certain restrictions. See for more information on students’ financial aid below. The studies of a foreign student are normally financially supported by the student’s parents, or the student has been awarded a scholarship from his/her home country or from an international institution to cover the expenses and living costs in Finland. Oulu University of Applied Sciences is unfortunately not able to provide any financial support for the students.

Foreign students must demonstrate their own funds for supporting their living and studying in Finland during their stay in the country. A guarantee-money of 6,000 EUR/academic year or a scholarship must be deposited in a Finnish bank account under the name of the student. See also instructions for residence in Finland.

If a foreign student would like to come to Finland as a degree student, he/she should ask the authorities of his/her home country for further information on grants by contacting e.g. the Ministry of Education or the National Agency for Education. Finland is not able to provide scholarships for international students who are taking a degree at a university of applied sciences in Finland.

Financial Aid for Finnish Students

Finnish students are entitled to students’ financial aid, which is intended to provide an income to financially needy students whose parents are not under obligation to finance their studies and who are not eligible for aid under some other provisions. In order to qualify, a student must have gained admission to higher education, be studying full time, and be in need of financial assistance.

Financial aid is available in the form of study grants, housing supplements and government guarantees for student loans. Study grant and housing supplement are government-financed benefits with monthly payments to the student’s bank account. The study grant is subject to tax. Student loans are granted by banks operating in Finland. Repayment normally begins after the studies have ended. Because the loan is guaranteed by the state, no other security is required.

Finnish students can also get financial help with studies that take place outside Finland, provided that they correspond to Finnish studies that would be covered by the student financial aid provisions or alternatively form a part of a Finnish degree programme. A study grant, a housing supplement and a government guarantee for student loans are available for studies abroad.

Financial Aid for Foreign Students

Foreign citizens can get financial help with studies from the Finnish state if they have had a valid residence permit and have lived in Finland at least two years for some purpose other than studies, and their residence in Finland is considered to be permanent. Even if a foreign student has been in Finland for less than two years, he/she may qualify for student financial aid if he/she e.g. is a refugee or remigrant. Nationals of EU and EEA Member States can get help with studies that are closely related to their work or if they have become involuntarily unemployed. The family members of employees covered by the EEA Agreement can also get financial assistance with their studies in the same way as Finnish citizens.

Further information on students’ financial aid is available on the following Web site of the Social Insurance Institution of Finland KELA: www.kela.fi