Asiakasnäkymä
Independent studies while on unemployment benefits
Language
Charges
The studies may include course fees, study material fees and other similar fees that are paid by the client.
Implementation
Independent studies supported with the unemployment benefit are intended for jobseeker clients who are deemed by their employment area to be in need of education and whose chances of entering the workforce will improve as a result of the studies.
Who is the service for?
Municipality of residence
Age
Situation
You can receive the unemployment benefit for the duration of your studies if:
- you have registered as a jobseeker and your jobseeker status is valid
- you are 25 or older
- a specialist deems that you are in need of education and the studies will improve your professional skills and chances in the labour market
- you agree on the studies being supported with the unemployment benefit in your employment plan before undertaking the studies.
Before you start your studies, your assigned specialist will assess whether you meet the conditions for receiving unemployment security, so contact them via Job Market Finland’s E-services when you are considering taking up studies. If you are an unemployed jobseeker, please notify your assigned specialist about any studies that you intend to undertake. Also notify your assigned specialist about your studies if you are not receiving financial aid for students.
The supported studies must be full-time. Studies leading to a qualification are usually full-time studies, as are other studies comprising, on average, at least 5 credits or 4.5 competence points per month of study or 25 hours of study a week.
Benefits of participating in the service
Independent studies will improve your professional skills and chances of finding and retaining a job.
Conditions for participating in the service
When you want to look into your eligibility for independent studies supported with the unemployment benefit, contact Employment Services as early on as possible, preferably when you are only just considering taking up studies, by submitting a contact request via Job Market Finland’s E-services, for instance.
If you have already agreed in your employment plan that you will apply for studies, you can deliver the forms required for supporting your independent studies to Employment Services for processing without a separate contact request. In order to process this matter, we need your arguments for your need for education and an account of the planned studies from the education service provider.
As a general rule, the decision to support your studies must be made before you start your studies, and the financial support will not be granted for studies that you have already started. However, applying for a student place does not affect your unemployment security.
How can I participate in the service?
The educational services are provided by the educational institution, while the benefit is paid by Kela or an unemployment fund. The implementation method, location and language of the studies depend on the studies for which you are accepted.
Neither the minimum nor maximum duration of the studies is restricted by law, but you may receive the unemployment benefit for independent studies for up to 24 months per each study module agreed on in your employment plan. The maximum period for which you can receive support for preparatory instruction and lower secondary studies is 48 months if you have been deemed to be in need of such studies.
What kind of studies can be supported?
Unemployment benefits can be used to support independent full-time studies if the studies clearly improve your chances of finding a job. The studies are usually agreed on in advance in your employment plan.
Examples of studies eligible for support:
- vocational qualifications (initial, further and specialist vocational qualifications)
- degrees from universities and universities of applied sciences and parts thereof
- open university and university of applied sciences studies
- additional training and continuing education
- other vocational education and training in Finland or through a Finnish education provider
- training that increases professional skills, competence, or reading and writing skills
(a study or training plan must be drawn up for the studies).
The studies must be full-time:
- on average at least 5 credits, 3 credit units or 4.5 competence points a month, or,
- if the scope of the studies is not defined: at least 25 hours of study a week.
Other important considerations:
- The study method (contact teaching or distance learning) does not affect the support.
- The support is particularly intended for short-term studies that can help you find a job quickly.
- Studies leading to a licentiate or doctoral degree are not supported.
- The studies are usually agreed on in advance in your employment plan.
- Unfinished studies can also be supported if they were started during an employment relationship or discontinued over a year ago.