The government concluded the Government sessions on Tuesday, which included adjustment measures worth a billion euros. The decisions saved money on new savings for education, but new investments, especially for students, were missed. Student Union of Haaga-Helia – Helga thanks the government for the decisions to increase students’ meal subsidy by 10% to reflect increased costs and the upcoming new employment voucher for young unemployed people aged 18–29.
A 10% increase in Kela’s meal subsidy means a 0.25 € increase. Although the increase may enable a lower price and/or a more varied meal for students depending on the student restaurant, it pales in comparison to all the other decisions that have affected students’ finances. As of August 1, 2025, students were transferred from general housing allowance to the housing supplement of the study grant, which is intended to compensate for 80% of housing costs, with the maximum amount being set at 216 € – 296 € per month, depending on the place of residence. Since the housing supplement is also part of the study grant, the same income limits apply to it as the study grant, so if a student earns too much, they will have to return both the study grant and the housing supplement to Kela. It has been calculated that the housing supplement received by students with low or non-existent income has decreased the financial situation by 100 € per month as a result of this reform.
“The government made some decisions during the budget process that will make students’ everyday lives easier. These are steps in the right direction, but they are not enough to compensate for the deterioration that has been made in students’ livelihoods at the same time. For many, students’ everyday lives are a constant struggle to survive, and this is not sustainable for the individual or society.” Helga’s Chairperson of the Board Joel Kangasmaa comments.
Higher education students have been in a difficult financial position for a long time. Study grants and housing supplements are not enough to cover the costs of living and studying, which is why more and more of them have to resort to student loans, working or using savings. According to the results of the University Student Health and Wellbeing Survey (KOTT) 2024, ⅕ of students feel that their income is very meager and uncertain, ¼ of students fear that they will run out of food due to lack of money and almost ⅕ of students have had to compromise on buying medicine due to lack of money. Building students’ income on uncertain and burdensome choices is an unsustainable and unfair equation.
We call on the Finnish government to make decisions that strengthen the financial situation of students. Education and students should not be an easy place to save money, but genuine factors and enablers of economic growth, which Finland needs.
Signed
Joel Kangasmaa
Chairperson of the Board of Helga
