Accessibility in student exchange
Table of contents
Accessibility and inclusion grants
Students with special needs can apply for grants to cover the extra costs of the student exchange. Accommodation and additional service opportunities vary greatly between countries and universities. It is advisable to contact the host university well in advance through the International Office, so that the availability of the necessary services can be investigated in time.
Fixed additional grants in Erasmus+ programme (fewer opportunities top up)
The Erasmus+ program supports students who have fewer opportunities than others. In Finland, the fewer opportunities categories are defined as the following:
- students who have underage children,
- students who are family carers (student has an agreement of informal care with the municipality),
- students who have disabilities (students with EU’s disability card or who have a right for the card disabled students, at least moderate functional impairment*),
- students who who have a severe or chronic health condition (min. moderate functional impairment*), or
- students who have received international, subsidiary or temporary protection (refugees, asylum seekers, students who have been granted international, subsidiary or temporary protection, or the student has a refugee’s passport)
Moderate functional impairment:
The person is not capable of activities that require constant precision and concentration. The treatment of the disease causes stress and takes time every day, and neglecting the treatment causes a danger to the state of health.
More information in Finnish about functional impairment categories:
Students who belong to any of these categories and who go on short- or long-term mobilities within the Erasmus+ programme are entitled to a fixed-fee additional grant on top of the ordinary Erasmus+ mobility grant. The student has to only prove belonging to one of the aforementioned groups in order to get the grant by submitting the declaration for fewer opportunities top-up + appendices to the International office.
In long-term exchange the fewer opportunities top-up is a fixed 250 €/month for those going on a student exchange, and 150 €/month for those going on a traineeship.
In blended short-term mobilities, the top-up is 100 € for mobilities between 5 to 14 days and 150 € for mobilities between 15 to 30 days. In addition, the students is eligible also for a travel grant that is determined based on the travel distance.
In addition to the fixed additional support mentioned here the student can also apply for the inclusion support based on real costs explained below, if they have more expenses than what the fixed additional grant covers, or if they face also other barriers than for which the fixed additional grant was awarded.
Special needs and inclusion grants for Erasmus and Nordplus/Nordlys students
Students in need of special services nominated to Erasmus- and Nordplus/Nordlys -exchange programs can apply for a special grant if the exchange results in additional costs (i.e. other than travel, accommodation and food costs). In special cases such grant applied for an exchange can be awarded in full (100%). The grant can be used for e.g. the following types of additional costs:
- particular travel arrangements
- organization of suitable accommodation
- hiring an assistant (within the limits of the grant)
- medical follow-ups (physical therapy, physical examinations)
- special teaching materials (in Braille, recordings) or pedagogical support services
After the student exchange nominations the International Office informs the nominated students on how to apply for the accessibility grant. To apply for the grant the applicant must fill an application form available at the International Office, describing the necessary support services and estimating their costs. A doctor's medical certificate has to be attached to the application. The application form is also handed in at the International Office.
Accessibility grant for students nominated for JYU bilateral and ISEP exchanges or students receiving a travel scholarship for an internship abroad
The accessibility grant of the University of Jyväskylä is intended to enable a study abroad period when the disability, illness or learning difficultly of the student will bring on additional costs when studying abroad. The accessibility grant of JYU is meant for the students that have been nominated for JYU's bilateral or ISEP-exchages. Also the students who have obtained an internship position abroad can apply for the grant.
The student-specific sum of support will be decided based on the number of applications, the individual needs of the applicants, and the verified extra costs. More information on the application for the accessibility grant will be sent to all student nominated for bilateral and ISEP-exchange. Information is also available through the International Office (international-office [at] jyu.fi)
Information on the accessibility grant for those doing an internship abroad is available at the Career Services of the university (Annamari Rovamo, firstname.lastname [at] jyu.fi).
EDUFI's internship scholarships
Those chosen for an internship of the international mobility and co-operation organization EDUFI can also apply for an accessibility grant.
Practical information about social security and support services
Social security abroad
If a full-time student takes part in a student exchange during their studies, they can receive a disability benefit / disability pension also for their studies abroad given that Kela sees that they are eligible for Finnish social security. Because a study exchange is considered to be a temporary residence abroad, the student will, in general, remain eligible for Finnish social security during their exchange.
The situation of the disability benefit / pension has to be ascertained before moving abroad. The student needs to visit the Kela office in their home town before their exchange regarding insurance matters. Their right to a disability benefit / pension will be determined at that point.
For more information contact Kela's Centre for International Affairs (tel. 020 634 0200).
Support services abroad
The level of support services varies greatly from country to country and university to university. It is advisable to start planning your exchange at least 6-12 months ahead, so that the availability of needed services (e.g. special accommodation, study aids, personal assistants etc) can be secured prior to departure.
Many American universities have good support services and foreign students are offered the same services as locals. For example, a student who uses sign language can get an interpreter for their studies. Students heading to North America should contact their host university well in advance to inquire the availability of services. They may have a specific office that processes matters related to the accommodation of studies and practicalities.
Students applying to North American universities usually have to complete an English language TOEFL test. Students can also participate in an adapted test in which instructions and assignments are available in e.g. large print, Braille or on tape, a sign language interpreter can be employed, and so forth. Alternatively, it is possible to get an extended time limit. More information: http://www.ets.org/disabilities/.
Student exchange experiences
Contact us
Questions about internationalisation? For guidance on student exchange, please contact us through HelpJYU.