Reimbursement of the cost of university-level specialist social care training 

Reimbursement of the cost of university-level specialist social care training can be sought from the state. The amount of reimbursement is based on the number of social workers who complete the training. 

The Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health issues a decree each year on the grounds on which reimbursement of the cost of university-level specialist social care training can be sought. The amount varies from one year to the next.

Seeking reimbursement

Reimbursement can be sought by universities that run specialist social care training courses.

Reimbursement can be sought twice a year. The deadlines for submitting requests for reimbursement to Regional State Administrative Agencies are 30 September and 31 March.

The September deadline applies to social workers who complete their specialist training between 1 January and 30 June.

The March deadline applies to social workers who completed their training between 1 July and 31 December the previous year.

It is the university’s responsibility to ensure that their request reaches the correct Regional State Administrative Agency by the deadline. Late submissions are not considered.

A special form has been prepared for seeking reimbursement. Supporting documents can be appended as necessary.

The form must always be accompanied by documents showing the names of the social workers who have completed the training, the date on which they passed the course and the amount of reimbursement sought. A link to the form is provided at the bottom of this page.

The request must also explain whether the course attendees paid a course fee and whether state aid or other special assistance was paid towards running the course.

The following deductions apply:

  • EUR 3,500 for all course attendees who paid a course fee and
  • the full amount of any state aid or other special assistance that was paid towards running the course for the attendees in respect of whom reimbursement is sought. 

The request and the supporting documents should be sent to the Regional State Administrative Agency for Southwestern Finland. Requests can be sent to the registry of the Regional State Administrative Agency for Southwestern Finland by post or by email.

Regional State Administrative Agencies make decisions on requests for reimbursement during the year in which they are submitted. Universities can be asked to provide more information if necessary. The reimbursement is paid once a decision has been made on each request. 

Regional State Administrative Agencies’ decisions are not open to appeal, but they can be challenged. The deadline for challenging a decision is 30 days from the receipt of the decision. Instructions for challenging decisions are appended to every decision.