Students launch survey to analyse cost of living

(CS) Luxembourg students opposing a reform of higher education financial aid have launched an online survey to find out the actual cost of living of students.

The committee 6670, named after the bill proposing the reform, said in a statement that it wants to raise realistic data in order to lead an informed and factual debate with the government and lawmakers about the proposals.

In the survey, students are asked about where they study, the amount of money they pay on rent, study materials and other costs of living, but also about the money they receive through private or state funding, or student jobs.

The committee believes that the results will show that the funds currently foreseen from the government will not be sufficient to guarantee students the means to study independently.

According to the students, data from Germany shows that students need an average of 864 euros per month. This climbs to between 875 and 1,290 euros per month in France, 930 euros per month in Austria and 1,240 euros in the UK, student tuition fees excluded.

The first version of the students financial aid reform bill proposed a grant worth 2,000 euros per student plus a loan of up to 6,500 euros and the coverage of tuition fees up to 3,700 euros. Additionally, students could apply for other funds, based on location, parent income or disability.

A maximum sum of 16,700 euros (1,392 euros was attainable). This has since been raised in response to student protest. Children of households with more than one student in higher education can receive an additional 500 euros.

Fund allocated on parent income criteria have been raised from 2,500 euro to a maximum of 3,000 euros and Education Minister Claude Meisch said that raising the grant limit is also an option.

Find the survey, in Luxembourgish, here and visit streik.lu for more information about the student committee.