The results of the recently published Eurostudent 9 student survey paint a worrying picture of higher education studies in Finland. As financial pressures mount, student wellbeing deteriorates and graduation is delayed. A lack of resources is common, and many students find it difficult to study.
The results underline the urgent need to address the deteriorating livelihood of students and to invest in support services. Educational attainment cannot be raised unless students’ financial security and progress in studies are safeguarded.
Income difficulties are increasing
According to the Eurostudent survey, more than half of higher education students have at least some income difficulties, and nearly one in three reported experiencing significant or very significant financial difficulties.
The problems are no longer limited to the most vulnerable, as financial difficulties have increased also among working students since 2022. In other words, working alongside studies is no longer enough to compensate for the inadequacy of the benefit system.
Student financial aid and its loan-based nature steer students towards indebtedness. Student loans are taken out for essential everyday expenses, preparing for unexpected expenses and insufficient earnings. When financing student life relies on taking on debt, many wonder whether they can afford to study at all.
At the same time, working has become more common among students, and they have less time for studying. Working has become by far the most significant factor slowing down studies.
At best, working is the student’s own choice that supports the accumulation of expertise and promotes later employment. According to Eurostudent, about half of students work in a field corresponding to their education and one fifth in expert tasks. However, it is clear that for an increasing number of people, working has become an economic necessity that limits rather than complements studies.
Students’ ability to study is being tested
According to Eurostudent, up to half of students have mental health problems, disabilities or illnesses. Feelings of being unwell are inextricably linked to the questions of livelihood. According to Eurostudent, 80% of students experiencing income difficulties reported that their mental health is suffering. At the same time, about 40% of those experiencing income problems reported that their graduation will be delayed.
In addition to mental health and income problems, studies are challenged by deficiencies in resources and academic skills. Alongside working and income problems, the most common reasons slowing down studies are the difficulty or demanding nature of studies, challenges in study motivation, health reasons and problems with teaching arrangements. Up to one third of students have partial study ability.
Investments in student income and support are needed
The goal of higher education to increase the education level to 60% by 2040 requires that students’ income is secured in a predictable and sufficient manner. At the same time, it must be ensured that students can receive support throughout their study path.
The growing challenges related to mental health and resources require sufficient support provided at an early enough stage. We have therefore proposed a pilot project on a model for support for learning in higher education, in which common forms of support suitable for higher education, such as special needs education, would be developed and piloted. We need support that acknowledges the needs of different and increasingly diverse student groups.
Furthermore, the housing supplement for student financial aid must be tied to an index so that students’ income does not deteriorate further as the cost of living rises. The support system must be examined as a whole so that students do not have to choose between income, wellbeing and progress in studies. Otherwise, the goal of raising educational attainment will remain only on paper.
Further information:
Sonja Naalisvaara
Social Policy Adviser
+358 40 687 6353
sonja.naalisvaara@syl.fi
Oona Vehmas
Education Policy Adviser
+358 41 515 2231
oona.vehmas@syl.fi
