Government statistics released today have added weight to students’ demands for action on hardship. The Scottish Student Income, Expenditure and Debt Survey report and research findings demonstrate a shortfall of almost £1,000 for students receiving the maximum student support.
In particular, student parents are not getting enough support. Childcare costs make up over a quarter of total expenditure for student parents, and commercial debt for these students is much higher than the average.
Gurjit Singh, NUS Scotland President, said:
“Time and again we have said that poverty and hardship are the most pressing concerns for students, and today’s figures support this. Students are supplementing their student support income with commercial debt in order to make ends meet. Many students are working considerably more hours than recommended to ease their financial difficulties, and the expectation that the hardship experienced while studying will be cancelled out by the future benefits may not be realistic in today's economic climate.
“Commercial debt is clearly still a huge issue for students, and the levels of such debt faced by student parents is staggering. Students should not need to get into commercial debt in order to study, and student parents in Scotland need a childcare entitlement.
“We believe that cash should be ringfenced to support student parents and those from the poorest backgrounds. At the same time, access to increased students loans will put more cash into students’ pockets while they study, without the burden of commercial interest rates.”
NUS Scotland's submission to the Scottish Government on student hardship