The case in summary: Every third student in Norway will have problems paying an unexpected bill of NOK 8,000. The Norwegian Student Organization believes that student aid should be increased to ensure equal access to higher education. 22 percent of Norwegian students cannot pay for unexpected costs themselves, but could manage it with help from family, partners and friends. The financial situation of the students was worse ten years ago, but many students manage better today because a record number combine work and school. NSO leader Hovdenak believes that the current situation is not justifiable and that full-time students are dead. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAi. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. One in three students will struggle to pay an unexpected bill of NOK 8,000 themselves, a recent survey shows. – I don’t think other students without a job would have been able to pay such a bill, says Sanne Sørlie (21). Sørlie and her friend Ida Arntsen (20) are studying nursing at Østfold University College. They believe they have to work part-time to manage to pay unexpected bills. Arntsen feels that it is necessary to work alongside the studies to ensure a decent economy. Photo: Christian Nygaard-Monsen / news The friends agree that it would have been difficult to get the student finances going without the extra income. – Because I live at home and work alongside my studies, I am fine. But I think it will be more difficult for those who don’t, says Arntsen. – Need financial support 37 percent of Norwegian students would not be able to pay for a broken washing machine or a high dental bill without problems or financial help from friends and family. This is shown by new figures from the Eurostudent survey. – I am worried about whether higher education is available to everyone in Norway, says the head of the Norwegian Student Organization (NSO), Kaja Ingdal Hovdenak. Kaja Ingdal Hovdenak is head of the Norwegian Student Organization. She does not think it is possible to juggle work and study without problems today. Photo: Rolf Petter Olaisen / news She believes that the student grant should be increased as soon as possible. – You need a financial support system around you to be able to take higher education in Norway for many. And then there is no longer equal access to higher education in Norway. The figures show that 22 percent of Norwegian students state that they cannot pay for unexpected costs themselves, but could still manage it with help from family, partners and friends. 15 percent are unable to pay such costs, nor have anyone to pay for them. In our neighboring country Sweden, significantly more students can pay for unforeseen costs themselves. 75 per cent of the students had managed it themselves, 12 per cent more than in Norway. Younger students receive financial support from their families to a greater extent than older students. Better finances because more people are working Although many students struggle to be able to pay unforeseen expenses on their own, the financial situation of students was worse ten years ago. This is shown by the Students’ health and well-being survey. But consumer economist Derya Incedursun at Nordea believes many students are doing better today because a record number combine work and school. It also shows figures from Statistics Norway. Consumer economist Derya Incedursun at Nordea was herself worried about the economy as a student. She understands that students can get tired of combining a lot of work with their studies. Photo: Øystein Løwer – The cost of living, rent and rent have become more expensive. Many people are probably aware that they have to work a lot alongside their studies to make ends meet, says Incedursun. Concerned for the students, NSO leader Hovdenak believes the current situation is not justifiable. – Politicians only increase student aid when they themselves feel it is right, instead of doing it in line with price and wage growth, says the manager. She believes that the financial pressure students are exposed to has meant that part-time work alongside studies has become the new normal. Hovdenak fears for the students’ finances. Photo: Rolf Petter Olaisen / news – The full-time student, it is dead. Many students cannot afford to be full-time students, even if their studies require it. That worries me. Hovdenak says that she has heard several stories about students who have had to drop compulsory education in order to work. Derya Incedursun agrees that full-time students are dead. She believes it is due to several things. – It is about the psychologist in this. There are probably many people now who feel a fear of not being able to pay a bill or afford to buy food. – I think that the student grant should be increased. It is a good investment for society in general. Here, the young people are getting an education and going out into the labor market, adds Incedursun. Were you able to pay an unexpected bill of NOK 8,000 today? Yes, it would have been nice! 👍 No, it would have become difficult now 👎 Show result SP: – A historically good investment in the students The NSO leader, Kaja Ingdal Hovdenak, hopes the politicians will act quickly. – Although we are happy about the increases the government and SV have made in recent years, it is not enough. We must look at what measures must be taken to resolve the situation now. State Secretary Ivar B. Prestbakmo (Sp) in the Ministry of Education believes it is positive that most students work alongside their studies. – The student grant should ensure that everyone has access to higher education, but it should not be a goal that no students have a job alongside their studies, says Prestbakmo. – Then there must of course be a balance between how much time the students spend on work and studies. State Secretary Ivar B. Prestbakmo (Sp) believes that the government’s investment in increased student support has ensured increased purchasing power. Photo: William Jobling / news He believes that the current government has invested historically well in the students. – Since this government took office in 2021, the students have received more than NOK 25,000 more per year. The State Secretary adds that rent is the largest expenditure item for most students, and that it is therefore important to build more affordable student housing. Hello! Do you have something on your mind after reading my case, or tips for what I can write about next? Feel free to send me an email! Published 05.09.2024, at 05.14
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Many students in Norway struggle to pay unexpected bills – news Østfold – Local news, TV and radio
