The study voucher pilot will launch in August 2026

The Ministry of Education and Culture will launch a study voucher pilot in August 2026, aiming to make it easier for young people without a study place to access open higher education studies.

Nainen on teemuki kädessä kannettavan tietokoneen ääressä. The woman is sitting at a laptop with a mug in her hand.

The pilot offers young people the opportunity to explore higher education studies through an open university of applied sciences or an open university before starting degree studies. These studies support pathways such as the open route and strengthen readiness for future application rounds.

What is the study voucher?

The study voucher is a payment instrument worth 30 ECTS credits for open higher education studies. It can be activated in August 2026 in the Opin.fi service once the results of the spring joint application have been confirmed and admissions from waiting lists have ended.

Who is eligible for the study voucher?

You may receive a study voucher in August 2026 if you:

  • have completed your first upper secondary qualification after 1 December 2025
  • are under 29 years old at the time of graduation
  • did not receive a study place in the spring 2026 joint application or choose not to accept an offered place

A requirement for the study voucher is that the young person applied in the second joint application to higher education institutions in March 2026.

The first vouchers will be available in August 2026.

Legislation concerning the study voucher is currently under consultation until 10 April, so changes are still possible.

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