MSE News: Student loans are not big enough

zagfles

According to the NUS, students (outside London) need £12,160 over 39 weeks, after tuition fees and study related costs!!

So even with an expensive HoR at £130pw, that would leave £181pw for living expenses, socialising, travel etc!!

They seem to be on the same planet as when I was at uni...

http://www.independent.co.uk/student/news/cost-of-living-crisis-looms-for-students-with-an-average-shortfall-of-more-than-7000-8857107.html

miller

zagfles wrote: »

http://www.independent.co.uk/student/news/cost-of-living-crisis-looms-for-students-with-an-average-shortfall-of-more-than-7000-8857107.html

"Taking into account basic sundries like food, rent and travel..." :rotfl:

Dunroamin

miller wrote: »

"Taking into account basic sundries like food, rent and travel..." :rotfl:

You've misread it,

" £12,160 goes living costs such as rent, food, insurance, travel and leisure. "

miller

I quoted directly from the article :-)

Food and rent are not sundries! Travel, maybe, but not the first two IMO.

The_Jakal

GeneHunt wrote: »

Why shouldn't they? Nobody made them have kids did they? Why should I support your kids which you chose to have? If you couldn't afford to have them - why did you? Why didn't they save?

Hey, I'm 24, definitely don't have any kids yet.

Have to say that I don't really have a side on this, was just putting it up for discussion.

I can definitely see the argument for both sides.

My major beef is with the parents with high wages that can't manage their money correctly which in turn is detrimental to their children...

dcclloyd

And now, Mr Lewis, can you see why certain members were horrified when you, of all people, started championing the cause of the government. It wasn't fair that students have to have this DEBT with REAL interest of 3% above inflation, and it now isn't fair that on top of that they have to have overdrafts or CAN'T afford to go. So please go back to what you used to do best and stop feeding us the lie that we can all afford to go to uni even if we don't have the bank of mum and dad. I am already sending my son food parcels (first term), as he can only afford to eat the halls meals (2 a day) if he uses a taxi to get back to halls safely one night a week. Grrrrr, be physically safe or EAT!? How is that fair to choose between the two???

dcclloyd

Umm, do/did you use the services of doctors, medical/engineering researchers, teachers etc. if the only ones who went to uni were those whose parents could afford to send them we would have a hugely depleted pool of people whose expertise we rely on every day.

zagfles

dcclloyd wrote: »

And now, Mr Lewis, can you see why certain members were horrified when you, of all people, started championing the cause of the government. It wasn't fair that students have to have this DEBT with REAL interest of 3% above inflation, and it now isn't fair that on top of that they have to have overdrafts or CAN'T afford to go. So please go back to what you used to do best and stop feeding us the lie that we can all afford to go to uni even if we don't have the bank of mum and dad. I am already sending my son food parcels (first term), as he can only afford to eat the halls meals (2 a day) if he uses a taxi to get back to halls safely one night a week. Grrrrr, be physically safe or EAT!? How is that fair to choose between the two???

Taxi?? Are you serious - since when have students ever been able to afford taxis?? Is there no public transport where he's studying?

Dunroamin

zagfles wrote: »

Taxi?? Are you serious - since when have students ever been able to afford taxis?? Is there no public transport where he's studying?

A bicycle or use of his legs!

sulphate

emmilou wrote: »

The cost of accommodation does need to be looked at - my daughter gets the minimum amount of maintenance loan (£3.5k p.a) as me and OH both work full time, her accommodation is £99 a week (just over £4k a year) and so we have a £500 shortfall a year.
Therefore we have to make up that difference and give her money for food, she has a weekend job which will cover her other purchases e.g clothes, toiletries, alcohol etc..

It seems at 18 you are considered an independent adult and yet still penalised by having married parents who work, IMO maintenance loans shouldn't really be means tested

She has a weekend job simply to cover clothes, toiletries and alcohol? Perhaps she needs to budget a bit better?

I definitely feel that student loans should cover food, rent, travel and essentials but partying is not an essential even for a student.

It's not the fact that you and your OH work full time that gives her less money, it's what you earn. According to the student finance calculator a student would get £3.5k maintenance loan if their parents earned £70k. On a £70k income, I find it difficult to believe that helping her out a little is a problem for you.