Parent's contribution to education or training

18-20 year old youths in education or vocational training can apply for a financial contribution from their parents.

• If a young person lives with one parent, the person in question may demand that the other parent makes a financial contribution for education or vocational training

• If a young person lives with neither parent, the person in question may demand a financial contribution for education or vocational training from both parents.

Amount of contribution

Most often, the contribution amounts to basic child maintenance, but it is possible to request that the contribution be higher.

Contribution from parent

Agreement without the involvement of the District Commissioner

Parents and the young person in question may enter into an agreement between themselves without the involvement of the District Commissioner and agree on sums, payment periods and other matters. The parties themselves handle collection and payment of the contribution between them.

In case the parties wish to do this in writing, a declaration of consent may be completed for the payment of the education/training contribution and two parties may be invited to certify signatures.

Agreement confirmed by the District Commissioner

If the parent and young person in question agree on the payment of the contribution, they may enter into a written agreement on the educational contribution and have it confirmed by the District Commissioner. A certificate of education or confirmation of vocational training must accompany the agreement.

Once the District Commissioner has confirmed the agreement, the young person may request that the contribution be paid by the Social Insurance Administration. It is also possible to negotiate an agreement that a parent pays the contribution directly to the young person, without taking it through the Social Security Administration.

There is no need to go through the intermediary TR for payments, but it can be requested.

Request for a ruling by the District Commissioner

An application may be made for the district commissioner to issue a ruling on whether a parent is obliged to pay a contribution to a young person.

Required supporting documents are

• Certificate of school attendance or confirmation of vocational training

• Last two tax returns of the young person

• Information on the income of the young person for the current year, for example withholding tax register or copies of wage bills.

Process

The District Commissioner shall present a request for a contribution to the parent, giving the parent time to express his or her views, provide documents and comment. The parent is asked to submit his or her own petition if the petition is not objected to. If no settlement can be reached, the District Commissioner rules on the parent's obligation to pay the financial contribution.

If the District Commissioner rules in favor of the young person, he/she may contact the Social Insurance Administration and request that the agency make payments. The young person can also ask a parent to pay the contribution directly to the young person, without taking it through the Social Security Administration.

If the District Commissioner rules in favor of the parent, the young person in question may apply to TR provided that certain conditions are met.

When a parent is unable to pay a special contribution or is absent

When an application for a parental education is not possible, the young person can apply for a child pension for education at the Social Security Administration.

This occurs, for example, when

• The District Commissioner rules that the parent shall not pay a financial contribution.

• The parent is deceased.

• Parent is a pensioner receiving a disability, rehabilitation or old-age pension.

• The young person is unaffiliated

In these cases, refer to TR.