KELA informs: Housing benefits for students about to change in August – how will this affect you?

Students will be transferred under a new housing supplement scheme in August. The majority of students can get the new student housing supplement from the beginning of the autumn term 2025.

General housing allowance versus the housing supplement for students – what is the difference?

From 1 August 2025 onwards, students can get a housing supplement for students. This means that general housing allowance will no longer be paid to students after 31 July 2025. The change will not apply to students who live with their child or their partner’s child. They can apply for general housing allowance as before.

You can be paid the student housing supplement if you live in rented or right-of-occupancy housing and you qualify for student financial aid. The student housing supplement is paid for active months of study, and the same annual income limit applies to both the housing supplement and student financial aid.

Please note that the student housing supplement is a personal benefit. This means that everyone who qualifies must apply for it separately. You can apply for the student housing supplement in the OmaKela e-service in June 2025 at the earliest. The supplement will be paid from 1 August 2025 onwards.

The student housing supplement can be paid only to your own bank account. It cannot be paid directly to your landlord.

Take note:

• If you live in a home owned by you or your partner, you cannot be paid the student housing supplement or general housing allowance.
• If you are or your partner is paid housing allowance for pensioners, you cannot usually be granted the student housing supplement.

Read this article to find out what students need to know about the upcoming changes.
Check back often as Kela will update this page during the spring.