Can I work while on study grant in Finland?
Yes — within the income cap. Students on financial aid may work freely, but the annual income limit sets the grant: in 2026 you may earn €1,118 for each support month and €3,355 for each month without support. With 9 support months the annual cap is €20,127. You may exceed it by €374 without consequences — beyond that, Kela recovers support months with an increase. The smart move: cancel or return support months in advance when summer work pushes income over.
📋 The rules
- Working on the grant is allowed with no hour limits — only annual income counts.
- 2026 caps: €1,118 per support month and €3,355 per non-support month; with 9 support months, €20,127/yr.
- The cap can be exceeded by €374 without recovery — larger excesses trigger retroactive recovery with an increase.
- Support months can be cancelled in advance or returned by the end of April of the following year — then they consume neither the cap nor your support quota.
- The whole calendar year's gross income counts — summer wages too, with the higher €3,355 cap applying to non-support months.
🔓 Exceptions
- In graduation and starting years income is counted only for the study period under specific rules — check Kela's guidance.
- Student-loan drawdowns aren't income — they don't touch the cap.
⚠️ Penalties
Exceeding the cap leads to recovery of support months with an increase. Voluntary returns in time are always cheaper — and returned months remain available later.
📎 Sources
- Kela · Income and financial aid →
- Kela · Income monitoring (EN) →
- Koulutustakuu · Student income caps 2026 + calculator →
❓ Frequently asked questions
How much can a student earn in 2026?
€1,118 per support month and €3,355 per non-support month. With 9 support months the annual cap is €20,127 — exceedable by €374 without consequences.
What happens if I exceed the cap?
Kela recovers support months with an increase the following year based on income data. The size of the excess sets how many months are recovered.
Should I return support months?
Yes, if you know you'll exceed: returning by end of April removes the increase and saves the months for later use.
Do summer wages count?
Yes — the whole calendar year's gross income counts. Non-support summer months just get the higher €3,355 cap.
🔎 What people search
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