Students’ demand more financial support now
Students want more financial support and lower fees according to the 2007 Student Income and Expenditure Survey
research by the New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations (NZUSA). Key findings in the research highlight that 77% of
students believe that all full-time students should receive a living allowance and 76% believe that tertiary fees are
too high.
“The government needs to take students seriously this election and provide greater financial support to them,” says
Brad Heap, President of the Albany Students’ Association at Massey University Auckland. “All full-time students should
receive a living allowance and not be forced to borrow to live.”
The research shows that students are concerned about rising debt and the impact that it will have on them with 68% of
students believing that tertiary education should be fully funded, 60% are worried about how much debt they will owe
when they complete their studies and 59% believe that financial stress is affecting their study.
“It is clear that students are suffering financially. Because of the stress associated with having to work long hours
and the financial strain of living, students are not achieving their full potential in their studies.”
“This year student debt will reach $10 Billion. 20 years ago student debt did not exist and there is still time to fix
this. New Zealand needs a fully funded tertiary education system that values students and doesn’t treat them or their
families as cash cows.”
The Albany Students’ Association represents 7,000 students studying at Massey University’s Auckland Campus and is a
full member of the New Zealand Union of Students’ Association the national body representing over 200,000 tertiary
students.
ENDS