What Happens After PhD Money Runs Out?

[caijamin]

Hi,

I have what I think is a simple problem, but I've been unable to find any concrete information anywhere. I am currently a PhD student, and recieving 9 months of Kela study allowance (I have the Kela Card and permanent residence). But they only grant 9 months for PhD students in total. So my question is, what happens then? Can I claim unemployment benefit? Or is it the nightmare of dealing with Sossu? Surely there is a mechanism in place. Obviously, I am hoping to secure external funding for my PhD from places like FInnish cultural foundation, but they seem to be cutting grants across the board and it's harder to find funding. So if I can't get external funding, any ideas what happens? I have 5 months left of study benefit.

[betelgeuse]

I have what I think is a simple problem, but I've been unable to find any concrete information anywhere. I am currently a PhD student, and recieving 9 months of Kela study allowance (I have the Kela Card and permanent residence). But they only grant 9 months for PhD students in total. So my question is, what happens then? Can I claim unemployment benefit?

Labor market subsidy is not available to PhD students:

http://te-palvelut.fi/te/fi/tyonhakijal ... _opiskelu/

"Jatkotutkintona suoritettavia lisensiaatin tai tohtorin tutkintoon johtavia opintoja ei voida tukea työttömyysetuudella."

Or is it the nightmare of dealing with Sossu? Surely there is a mechanism in place. Obviously, I am hoping to secure external funding for my PhD from places like FInnish cultural foundation, but they seem to be cutting grants across the board and it's harder to find funding. So if I can't get external funding, any ideas what happens? I have 5 months left of study benefit.

Unfortunately you will have to deal with Sossu. However, many municipalities have been coming up with online services so it's not as bad as it used to be. I have been helping one unemployed person and the monthly application is like max half an hour. Annoying but doable once you get the routine for it.

[mrjimsfc]

You've got residence. Surely some employer would like to use your knowledge for his benefit. Go to work!

[Pursuivant]

If you are too intelligent to find work, then I suppose you need to write mom and dad for help?

[Beep_Boop]

You've got residence. Surely some employer would like to use your knowledge for his benefit. Go to work!

According to his LinkedIn, his PhD field is basically gender studies. Outwith government tax waster organizations, I highly doubt any actual employer is interested in that.

[caijamin]

Labor market subsidy is not available to PhD students:

http://te-palvelut.fi/te/fi/tyonhakijal ... _opiskelu/

"Jatkotutkintona suoritettavia lisensiaatin tai tohtorin tutkintoon johtavia opintoja ei voida tukea työttömyysetuudella."Unfortunately you will have to deal with Sossu. However, many municipalities have been coming up with online services so it's not as bad as it used to be.

Thank you Betelgeuse for answering the question! I'm very grateful that you took the time to look and reply.

As for the other comments, well I feel I should mention that I'm not work-shy, and if you've looked at my LinkedIn you'll see that I've had jobs before whilst i've been studying, and before I started university. (btw, it says PhD in Political science on there, I just happen to be in a gender studies programme, and in all fairness GS probably has more employment options and has a broader base of knowledge, but I didn't come here to debate my study discipline and programme).

I was trying to find out what happens when the student money for PhD stops and I still have three years of studying to do complete it, as in, I'm four months into a four year programme. It seemed odd to me that they only fund the first 9 months of the studies, the other 3 years are not funded - Please correct me if I am wrong, because then I can just pick up my regular summer job and carry on. If I'm not wrong, I imagine that lots of people (well, comparatively speaking) have to postpone their studies because they have to find work. Unfortunately my chosen career path demands a PhD, but in the mean time I'm quite happy to take whatever work I can find and I'm applying for jobs and grants to support my studies. If it comes down to the fact that I have to delay my goals for a couple of years to save money and work, then so be it.

I was trying to get the information together to prepare for a worst case scenario, I'm not saying I'm hoping that I go to Sossu every month to get my benefits. I'd much rather work, or get a grant from a private organisation.

[CH]

It seemed odd to me that they only fund the first 9 months of the studies, the other 3 years are not funded

Be glad for that 9 months, I'm pretty sure it was 0 months when I was studying (for masters, but I was in a project with lots of Ph.D. and Lic. students). I would assume it's to give the student who continues straight after their Master into Ph.D. studies a bit of time to get a job or some other way to fund their living.

I don't know how it works now, but ages ago the Ph.D. and Lic. students often worked as assistants at the departments or in the professor's project they were doing their thesis for (getting payed by grants). Nowadays a lot of the master studies seem to be done where the student works, so I would assume the same is for Ph.D.

But why not ask your fellow students (or even better, the ones who are a few years ahead of you) how they are funding their studies?

[caijamin]

It seemed odd to me that they only fund the first 9 months of the studies, the other 3 years are not funded

Be glad for that 9 months, I'm pretty sure it was 0 months when I was studying (for masters, but I was in a project with lots of Ph.D. and Lic. students) /quote]

I am very glad in all honesty It does seem that it was a much easier situation a couple of years ago as there was substantially more money for projects, grants and that sort of thing. But the money is drying up fast! Still there's some left so i'm not giving up hope of finding some yet :=)

[caster]

Not sure about your actual status. If you have a permanent resident permit, that only comes after living on A permit (continuous permit for 4 years, straight forward way) - what have you done for last 4 years in Finland that you are searching for funding - How long your programme (Phd) will last and who is the institute in question - how come they obliged you without having your financial statement for the programme duration or what story you fed them. (if you have to drive 100 km - how come you started your journey with a gas worth 60 km distance) All matters!

For Phd students - in Finland - normally they teach at the institute they belongs - during the programme you must have a project funded by a specific Finnish institute that take cares of those grants sometimes EU institutes but that does not come direct to your account but through the institute you belongs. Of course Phd is not easy or let me say it is not easy to be a scientist and there is no rocket science to find a sponsor also, at least for phd caliber.

If you are registered as a full time student (if you are earning 5 credits a month) you are not eligible for the unemployment benefits. (check with TE Office and you will know - it will take long but eventually you will find the same).

You certainly need to contact your supervisor (I know they are normally one heck of scientist themselves) but l-em s-em to fill your tank for the rest of your journey. do not wait till it runs out ...... act!

Try here;
http://www.studyinfinland.fi/tuition_an ... rship_pool
http://www.aka.fi/en-GB/A/Funding-and-g ... ts-abroad/


Cheers!