Many 18-year-olds have summer jobs. Most people do it to have a little extra pocket money throughout the year. But Mathilde Wevang-Måna is completely dependent on bringing in enough money in the summer to be able to pay rent for the rest of the year. She is from Alvdal, but has moved to Bodø to study aviation at Bodø upper secondary school. The resident grant of NOK 5,848 a month barely covers the rent, according to the aviation student. In addition, she must have money for food, a bus ticket and preferably some leisure activities. – I have always liked to manage things myself. I would rather not go to my parents, but in the end I had to. – The only thing that makes this go smoothly is that I get help from my family and work. But it won’t be easy after all. There are 36 places for students at Flyfag VG2 at Bodø upper secondary school. Here, students can train as aircraft technicians or aircraft avionics. Photo: Ingrid Gulbrandsen Årdal / news Tight rental market Just getting into the tight rental market was a challenge, says Wevang-Måna. The dormitories outside have either a low standard or very high rental prices. In addition, she finds that landlords do not respond to young tenants. – They don’t want young people because they think we are frivolous. Where I hadn’t received an answer, my mother got a yes right away when she sent a message. According to Mathilde Wevang-Måna, the rental market in Bodø is tight. Photo: Hege Kristin Hagen / news Students have to take out loans Leader of the Student Organization, Petter Andreas Lona, keeps hearing about students in the same situation as Wevang-Måna. – The money they get from the resident grant is simply not enough. There has been an increase in both food prices and electricity prices, which has made it difficult to live away from home. The consequences are that students do not get the opportunity to study the course they want, because they cannot afford it, according to Lona. – It also affects the students’ finances. Pupils over the age of 18 often also have to take out loans to go to school. We do not think that is a sustainable solution. Leader of the Student Organization, Petter Andreas Lona, believes that the stipend for living abroad must increase. Photo: Hannah Baarøy / The student organization The Norwegian Institute for Consumer Research (SIFO) estimates that a student aged 14–17 spends approximately NOK 10,000 a month, excluding rent. If you add a rent on top of that, it is almost NOK 15,000. – When we then have a resident resident grant of 5,800, it is clear that it is far too little. We believe it is time that we take a real boost in the scholarship, says the Student Organization Leader. – The most important thing for us is that students have the opportunity to be at school, get rest and not have to work instead of doing homework. Lona has a clear expectation to the government that there will be an increase in the borteboer stipend in the state budget 2024, preferably to 1.5 g. Asks landlords to be aware of their responsibility According to the Education Act, it is the county council that is responsible for all pupils having housing. The leader of the county council in Nordland, Elin Dahlseng Eide (Ap), sees that it is a problem for several students to get housing. – We have worked to influence politics, and the resident resident grant has increased. Therefore, the students will be paid more in grants from the start of their studies this autumn, and then we have to continue that work. Elin Dahlseng Eide (Ap) county council leader Nordland Photo: ThorWiggo Skille In addition, they have started an investigation in collaboration with Bodø municipality, which is the host municipality for Bodø high school, to realize a dormitory in Bodø. But when the building is ready, is difficult to say. The county council leader estimates a time perspective of approximately two years. – But what about those who are students and can’t afford it now? – Financial assistance from us is not an option right now. What we have to do is to realize more student housing, but that will still not cover the total need. That is why we are working politically to get an even greater increase in the non-resident stipend. – In addition, we have school breakfasts at all our schools and a pupil and apprentice service that assists with anything the pupils may need help with. However, Dalseng Eide asks those who rent to students to be aware of their responsibility: – This is the private market. I would appeal to those who rent out not to charge too high a price for school students. ALSO READ:
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Mathilde (18) receives a living abroad grant – can barely afford rent – news Nordland
