SYL and SAMOK: 94 percent support adjustment of student grant levels to the cost of living index as soon as early 2012

SYL and SAMOK: 94 percent support adjustment of student grant levels to the cost of living index as soon as early 2012.

Of all election districts and all current parliamentary candidates, 94 percent would like to tie student financial aid to the cost of living index, beginning in 2012. This figure is based on the telephone contact project conducted by the Union of Students of Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences (SAMOK) and the National Union of University Students in Finland (SYL), in which students contacted 84% of the parlimentary candidates– a total of 1415 people.

Support for adjustment to the index as soon as 01.01.2012 by party:

KD 96%
CENT 89%
IOC 83%
PS 94%
RKP 98%
SDP 95%
SAA 100%
Greens 99%

See also:
MP candidates’ positions
Positions of the parties by election district

Other pensions and allowances have been adjusted to the cost of living index, but not the student grant. Students believe it is unfair and unreasonable that student purchasing power is reduced as the cost of living rises.

Student grants should also be subject to adjustment according to the cost of living index, to ensure that students are able to live in changing economic conditions. It is not expensive to tie student financial aid to the living index; the cost will be proportional to economic growth.

For more information contact:
Jarno Lappalainen
SYL Vice President
tel: 044 906 5005
jarno.lappalainen (ät) syl.fi