It is approaching the autumn term and soon the students will be heading to the educational institutions. But for those who rely on loans and grants from CSN, student life can be a constant economic struggle.
I have looked at figures based on the Consumer Agency's calculated household expenses and also reduced some posts with regard to the students' situation and still it does not add up. It is very tight, says Sharon Lavie.
Ends up in deficit
Full-time studies normally give the student 13,500 kronor per month, of which 9,408 kronor are loans. According to the calculation, the student ends up with a deficit of 1,166 kronor every month – if they do not top up their wallet with a housing allowance of 1,300 kronor. Then there are 134 kronor left at the end of the month.
It is necessary to sit down and be extremely disciplined with your budget. It is a knife to the throat all the time, especially if you are a first-time student and need to buy things for the first time, then it takes a lot of money.
It is primarily the accommodation that constitutes the largest post in most students' budget. Those who want to alleviate the economic pressure should look at that cost first.
The housing allowance really needs to be added to your budget. If you have a longer perspective and are several who will be studying together, try to share an apartment.
The housing allowance can be applied for by young adults with low income and high housing costs. But you need to be careful, if you as a single person have an annual income that exceeds 86,720 kronor, or other assets such as dividends on shares, you may need to pay back.
So far, the housing allowance has been calculated on an annual basis, so if you have received it during the spring term and then start working during the autumn term, you may become liable for repayment. This means that many do not apply for housing allowance, says Sharon Lavie.
Has never added up
According to her, CSN needs to take a new approach to what a student has in expenses today.
They may not have taken into account what a modern student should be able to afford. Maybe you need to raise your gaze and see if these numbers are reasonable. We may have other expenses today than 20 years ago and therefore it is not enough to just index the study support upwards.
But that students have a hard time making ends meet is nothing new for this autumn term.
I have made this budget for many years now and it has never added up without a housing allowance.
