Every higher education student must be able to study without being held back by an uncertain or inadequate income. Investing in students’ ability to get by is an investment in the future.

Yet many students live below the poverty line, even when they take out the full student loan or work alongside their studies. Since 2017, the outstanding student loan balance has doubled and the purchasing power of student financial aid has fallen by around €100. Relentlessly rising living costs and sharply increasing interest rates are continuing to erode students’ livelihoods.

This is not sustainable. An adequate income is essential for tomorrow’s experts to thrive, cope at work and maintain their mental wellbeing. Students’ livelihoods must be strengthened. This benefits the whole country and its future.

The student grant needs a €100 increase. Lift students above the poverty line!

The student grant for higher education students is currently €268.23 per month. Students may also receive housing allowance, the amount of which depends on their municipality and household size.

A €100 increase in the student grant would bring the monthly direct benefits of a student living alone to €683–833, including housing allowance. This is roughly equivalent to the level of other basic social security benefits in Finland.

Finland has nearly 300,000 higher education students. They are a diverse group of people in different life situations. For example, 18 per cent have families, 20 per cent have reduced study capacity and 6 per cent are foreign nationals. On average, students have very low incomes and often experience mental health problems. In general, their social position is weak compared with the rest of the population. Yet the future is in their hands, and Finland’s success depends on their ability to thrive!