The reintroduction of the basic grant has slightly improved the financial situation of students, according to Nibud. As a result, parents are less likely to help pay for their children’s studies.
The situation of universities of applied sciences, and university students has improved slightly over the past three years. Fewer students have payment plans and they borrow less often from DUO or their parents. However, many students do have a part-time job; 90% work or have a paid internship, earning an average of EUR 560 per month.
Now that the basic grant is back, only 50% of the parents contribute financially, compared to 70% in 2021. Still, 60% of students say they make ends meet ‘easily’, although 10% find it ‘very difficult’.
Students living away from home, for instance, spend a lot of money on renting a room or flat. On average, it costs them about 40% of their income. Rising housing prices will not make things easier in the coming period, Nibud warns.
Side note
Student organisation ISO points out that many students living away from home received extra money last academic year, during the Nibud survey, because of inflation. Until 1 September, their monthly basic grant was EUR 164 higher. With that gone, financial insecurity among students is rising again, the ISO fears. (HOP, OL)
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