Student Aid after moving to Finland and getting Married

[bailey]

Hi, I'm engaged to my fiance that still lives in Finland and I'm moving there next summer after the wedding. I know that I automatically become a citizen though "family ties," but how does that effect Student Aid? University tuition is free, but would I be allowed to apply for Student Aid, and would I be granted any funds? I would be studying full-time and living in Finland permanently. Also, how soon would I be able to apply for Aid and granted it, if at all?

This is a big determining factor in where we live. He can move to America, where my tuition is paid for but where there is less of a possibility of him getting a job with his degree. But I cannot move to Finland if I know that I will not have Student Aid simply because neither of us have the money. Heh, that saying, "Money doesn't buy happiness" but it sure as heck solves a lot of problems

I would greatly appreciate anyone's input and/or thoughts. Thanks.

-bailey

[Jussi]

Ok, First things first, you dont get citizenship automatically through family ties. You get residency. And yes you should get student aid, but when you come you must put the reason for you coming as family ties - not studying. You have a very similar situation to mine.

Good luck and PM me if you have further questions

[sammy]

As far as I know, all Finnish citizens are eligible for the study grant (which is not a great deal of money, but better than nothing). So you should be, too. (edit: as soon as you get the citizenship, as Jussi pointed out... before that you'll need to fulfil certain conditions)

You would be best advised to check directly from KELA http://www.kela.fi just to make sure no "unexpected surprises" surface at the last minute

opintotukikeskus@kela.fi

Have you already got a study placement at some polytechnic or university?

[bailey]

Okay, this is the entire situation...

I am going there again for the summer (I leave May 25th) but I don't need a visa since my stay is less than 90 days. When I come back, I start my first year of university. I will have that entire year to get everything straightened out i.e. my finances, packing, documents stating I'm not married, etc. Then the next summer I'm moving there permanently and we're getting married.

The problem is... I'll be married in the summer, but the applications for the university are due in May for the Fall session. How is that going to work? I won't be married at that time.. so I won't get any Student Aid because I can't claim any family ties at that point.

-bailey

[Jussi]

You only get student aid for the months you are actually studying eg. usually 9 months per year in full time study. you will not get any student aid for may june july etc (summer)

So you can expect student aid from august/september onwards

[bailey]

This is what KELA says about foreign students:

"Non-citizens of Finland can get financial aid for studies in Finland if they live in Finland on a permanent basis for a purpose other than studying. This requires that they are registered as a permanent resident in the Finnish population register system. The purpose of residence in Finland is determined by reference to such matters as the residence permit, registration or acceptance to an educational institution. Applications for financial aid must be accompanied by the appendix form OT10 for foreign residents.

If you come to Finland solely for the purpose of attending a school, you cannot get Finnish student financial aid."

What is an OT10 form?

-bailey

[donald]

OT10 form is the form you need to fill in to apply for study grant. You can get it from Kela. It's the same form as local students need to fill in, so t's no big deal. And if you need to fill in an appendix (as you said) you get that from Kela too.

donald

[Linda]

You can find the form here:
http://www.kela.fi/in/internet/lomake.n ... penElement

I suppose the "e" in OT10e just means that the form is in English. So it's the same as OT10.

Good luck!