In Finland, the Finnish Social Insurance Institution (Kela) has announced that more than 28,000 students may have to return their study grants if their incomes exceeded the annual limit set for 2024. The average amount to be refunded per student is approximately 1,087 euros, which will also incur an additional 7.5% charge for the reclaim process. This total repayment is estimated to reach around 30.7 million euros, indicating a significant financial impact on students.

Kela expects to send decision proposals to about 2,500 more students this year compared to last year, according to Else Turtiainen, an advisor from Kela's study grant team. The annual income limit for students depends on the number of months for which they have received study grants. For example, for nine months of support, the threshold is set at 18,720 euros. This policy aims to encourage students to manage their incomes responsibly, as exceeding the limit can lead to substantial repayments.

Students are responsible for monitoring their income levels to ensure they do not exceed the limits. Turtiainen emphasized that students are generally well aware of these income restrictions. In situations where students anticipate surpassing the income threshold, it is advisable for them to either cancel or repay the study grants proactively to avoid financial complications later.