Study voucher draws more than 1,000 applications for free higher education

A new study voucher drew more than 1,000 applications on its first day, Yle reported. The voucher allows people under 29 who did not secure a higher education place through the joint application process to complete up to 30 credits of open higher education studies free of charge.

About 900 of the applications were approved, said Jonna Piiroinen, director of Digivisio 2030, a project involving Finnish higher education institutions that developed the voucher’s digital implementation.

The studies are completed through the Opin.fi website. Piiroinen said some applicants had already begun their studies on the first day, with some having a clear idea of how they wanted to use the voucher.

Some higher education institutions have opened pathway studies that are needed to pursue a degree. The voucher may therefore help applicants who already know their preferred field to progress more quickly. It can also help others explore their interests in greater detail.

The service offers study packages from several higher education institutions. It also includes a dedicated study voucher category, where institutions have collected courses suitable for people who have completed upper secondary education.

The voucher is part of a three-year trial organised by Finland’s Ministry of Education and Culture. Digivisio 2030 will monitor voucher activations and completed studies throughout the trial.

So far, feedback has mainly concerned technical issues, Piiroinen said. The project team expects more significant development needs to emerge after the voucher has been in use for longer.