How to claim a student loan tax deduction

If you complete a higher education degree in Finland, you usually do not have a claim a student loan tax deduction. When you have earned your degree, Kela will send you a written decision about the student loan tax deduction by the end of the term following graduation.

Kela will not send you a decision if you have not taken out a student loan during your higher education studies. However, it is possible that you have used your right to a student loan tax deduction. Go to Kela's e-service to check your status.

University degrees completed outside Finland

If you have completed a degree outside Finland, you must notify Kela. There is no deadline for the notification.

1. Fill in a Notification of degree completed in a foreign educational institution OT 29e (PDF).

   • Save the blank form to your device. Do not fill in the application directly in the browser, otherwise some of the information may not be saved.
   • Open the form with Adobe Reader and fill it in.
2. Send the application using the OmaKela e-service:

   • Save the completed form to your device. Note that the form must be in PDF format.
   • If the form or attachments are on paper you can photograph or scan them.
   • Log in to OmaKela (available in Finnish and Swedish) and select Lähetä liite (Send a supporting document).
   • Select Opiskelu (Studying) – Ilmoitus ulkomaisessa oppilaitoksessa suoritetusta tutkinnosta (OT 29) (Notification of degree completed in a foreign educational institution OT 29e).
   • Select the files on your device and press Lähetä (Send).
   • When you send your application online, you do not need to sign it.
3. You will receive a written decision by post once the bank has informed Kela of the principal amount of your student loan. You can also view the decision on Kela’s e-service.

Another option is to send the form by mail. Sign the form and send it with the supporting documents to Kela, PL 10, 00056 KELA.

Situations where you have to claim a student loan tax deduction

You must claim a student loan tax deduction if

• you have been covered by the financial aid system of the Åland Islands provincial government
• you have been covered by the financial aid system of another EU or EEA country, you are liable for tax in Finland, and you make repayments towards loans that correspond to Finnish student loans, or
  • you believe that the university degree you have completed qualifies you for a student loan tax deduction, you have outstanding student loans, and you have not received a decision about the deduction by the end of the term following that in which you graduated.

1. Complete the form for student loan tax deduction OT 20e (PDF).

   • Save the blank form to your device. Do not fill in the application directly in the browser, otherwise some of the information may not be saved.
   • Open the form with Adobe Reader and fill it in.
2. Send the application using the OmaKela e-service:

   • Save the completed form to your device. Note that the form must be in PDF format.
   • Log in to OmaKela (available in Finnish and Swedish). Select Tee hakemus (File an application).
   • Select Opiskelu (Studying) and then Muut opintoetuudet - tee hakemus (Other benefits for students - file an application).
   • Select the application form on your device and press Lähetä (Send).
   • When you send your application online, you do not need to sign it.
   • If you have supporting documents, send them via OmaKela after you have submitted your application. If they are paper documents, you can photograph or scan them.
     
     Another option is to send the application by mail:
      
   • Sign the application and mail it along with the supporting documents to Kela, PL 10, 00056 KELA.
3. A written decision on your application will be sent to you by post. You can also view the decision in the OmaKela e-service.

If you receive an unfavourable preliminary decision

You will be sent an unfavourable preliminary decision if your time to degree was too long or your loan amount is too small. You have some time to ask for a review of your case and explain why you took longer to graduate. Once your request for a review has been dealt with, you will receive a decision on the student loan tax deduction. If you are dissatisfied with the decision, you can appeal your case to the Student Financial Aid Review Board.

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