Changes have been made to applying for the school transport subsidy

Students at general upper secondary schools and vocational institutions may apply for school transport subsidy for the expenses caused by their daily school trips. There have been changes in applying for the school transport subsidy since the spring. From now on, students should apply for the subsidy through OmaKela using Kela's electronic application. Applying requires online banking codes or a mobile certificate. 

How to apply for school transport subsidy

The application for the school transport subsidy is made on OmaKela. A guardian can also submit an application for a minor. Public transport must be selected as the mode of transport and Föli as the ticket vendor in the application. The subsidy must be activated in the Föli shop (kauppa.foli.fi). If you have any problems with the right to purchase granted by Kela, contact Kela’s customer service.

Free or discounted travel card with the school transport subsidy

The terms of eligibility for the Kela school transport subsidy are somewhat different for students entitled to free education. In the Föli area, i.e. Turku, Kaarina, Lieto, Raisio, Rusko and Naantali, school trips are free of charge for students eligible for free education if the distance to school is more than 7 kilometres one way. In this case, the price of the school transport subsidy card is EUR 0 / 30 days.

Students who are not entitled to free education can only receive school transport subsidy if their school trip is at least 10 kilometres one way. In this case, the price of the school transport subsidy card is EUR 38 / 30 days.

Students are eligible for the school transport subsidy if they travel the minimum specified trip at least 10 days per calendar month. Both the paid and free school transport subsidy cards must be topped up monthly at the Föli shop or at Föli service points (not at top-up points or Föli application).

The travel distance is calculated by the shortest trip by car between home and school. If the shortest route is less than the specified number of kilometres, the student cannot receive school transport subsidy even if the distance travelled by a Föli bus is longer. You can use the route search service available on Kela's website to calculate the length of the school trip.