Significant growth in mental health problems, interrupted and delayed studies, and uncertainty about Finland’s future – with this recipe, the aim is to build a stable Finland. When cuts are made to students, it also impacts long-term economic growth, genuine elevation of education levels, and well-being of the constructors of tomorrow.
Livelihood has a central impact on mental health and progress in studies – about 25% of LUT University students have estimated graduating beyond the target time, meaning it affects a significant portion of our members. The results of Orpo’s government framework negotiations do not alleviate the fear of one’s livelihood being sufficient, as the lack of student financial aid months is a common problem among students. The main problem is thus reinstating students from general housing allowance to student financial aid housing supplement, which is tied to student financial aid months. Due to this decision, housing allowance also ends with the aid months, which previously remained separate from student allowance and was valid even during summer.
There are a total of 30 support months for the bachelor’s stage, and typically 9 are used per year. If a student has to increase student financial aid during the summer to secure their financial situation and the support months run out, it is likely that studies will be delayed beyond the three-year target time for the bachelor’s stage. In such a situation, the student is forced to work, which often further delays graduation.
LUT also employs a genuine two-cycle study model, meaning the bachelor’s thesis and most of the degree (except for 12 ECTS) must be completed before transitioning to master’s studies. Ideally, this is not a problem, but life doesn’t always adhere to ideals. It is relatively common for bachelor’s stage support months to end before transitioning to master’s studies. This significantly increases the mental burden on the student when the end of support months also drops the student from the housing allowance – unlike in the current model. Without support networks, which not everyone has, the student is once again forced to start working alongside their studies.
When different learners and study paths are disregarded, students are placed in unequal positions with each other. According to the planned model, even a small new stress factor in life can potentially mean interrupting studies due to financial reasons. This does not support the government’s goal of a genuine and sustainable elevation of education levels. It is unrealistic to expect that all students’ lives will follow the path planned by the government.
A good aspect of the reform is that household income does not affect the student financial aid housing supplement, which encourages shared living. However, this should have been implemented within the framework of the current housing allowance, rather than regressing seven years back in time.
State finances must be adjusted, but it should be done with an eye to the future. Better adjustment measures include discontinuing subsidies that distort markets and taxing harms. When cuts are made to students, it directly impacts the stable economy of the future.
More information:
Anselmi Auramo, Chair of the board, 045 647 1116, [email protected]