Cost of living: it is increasingly hard for students – La Voix du Nord

Cost of living: it is increasingly hard for students – La Voix du Nord

“ Student expenses increased by 2% compared to the previous autumn ,” said the UNEF, the first student union, in a report released on Sunday. A figure four times higher than inflation, according to the first student union.

“ The increase in rents and fees required (registration fees, ticket restaurant, safety social, ed) weighs in student budget “, says the union, which is alarmed by the escalation of student wage.

Almost a third (29, 6%) of employees and students are employed full-time during the academic year, against a fifth (18.5%) in 2006, according to data collected by the UNEF.

When asked about their motivation, these students are 51.3% consider that having a job is “ essential for living ,” against 40% in 2011.

The rent is first expenditure students , who spend on average 53% of their budgets, according to UNEF, pointing to higher rents on small surfaces “ 3.1% to 2% in Paris and province . “

In general, a student must pay 799 euros a month to support herself, or 48% of median income against 43% in 2011.

” If the cost of living increases in the fall is the responsibility of the government, especially when it increases the mandatory one side and freezes fresh scholarships each other , “complains William Martinet, President of the UNEF, contacted by AFP.

Revaluate scholarships

Although the Minister of Education announced that Benoit Hamon 77,500 students will access the scholarship this year, the UNEF requires “ upgrading the level scholarships .”

“ The commitment of the President of the Republic was implement a autonomy allowance, “says William Swift, stressing that had only” two returned to do . “

day, Benoît Hamon and Secretary of State for Higher Education and Research Genevieve Fioraso announced the upgrading of ‘ all the grants based on social criteria to 0.7% in September . “

” This is a strong decision in favor of purchasing power , “they claim in a joint statement, noting that” ‘ i> improving the social situation of students (was) a priority for government action . “

Working full time to pay for school

But to Amber, 22, a student of Master of Political Science, the budget is very tight. “ I’m not on vacation for four years ,” she told AFP. It also has “ renounced expenditures that are not essential .”

From September, it will be employed full time at a jewelery shop in Paris. “ Maybe this job will allow me later to move up and occupy a management position” wants to believe the young woman who is planning to run a career in management.

Alexander, 20, has him either no other choice but to pay salaries, “ With a sick mother and a father unemployed ,” homemaker n was not possible.

The scholarship of 300 euros monthly he uses to pay his rent. For the rest, the sophomore history works as a supervisor at a college two full days per week for 600 euros.

“ My mother is not serene know that I have to work and I eat pasta regularly , “he says.

But in September, he could increase his working week, increasing to three days per week, for not living too frugally. “ I hope stand between the work and studies in college ,” said Alexander, who has yet already repeated his first year “ lack of time to study .”