According to the Swedish National Union of Students you run a deficit of 759 kronor – each month. The government claims that this information is incorrect while the Student Union at Linnæus University hands out survival kits to poor students. But what are the opinions of the students in Lund? Lundagård has the answer.

In their student budget, released 21/02/2013, Sweden’s largest cooperation of student unions the Swedish National Union of Students (SFS) claims that students lose on average 759 kronor each month. In their calculation they use an estimated rent of 3222 kronor and assume that a little over 2000 kronor out of the total expenses of 9783 kronor are spent on food. Whether these figures are correct is questioned by the government, who say that the money is sufficient.

The Ministry of Education and Research writes that the average monthly financial aid for a student is 9776 kronor, which according to them covers the student budget. But SFS claims that this information is faulty.

– If you break down the payments made this spring you get an average of 9024 kronor each month. That is what CSN accounts for and that is the reality students have to relate to, says Erik Pedersen, vice-chairman at SFS.

According to Erik Pedersen another 800 kronor must be added to the student financial aid in order to cover expenses.

– We want to raise the grant. Raising the loan might put students off studying further.

On the day that SFS released their new student budget, the Student Union at Linnæus University also handed out survival kits containing things like noodles and condoms in order to draw attention to the students’ poor financial situation. But in the streets of Lund there is little uproar about the student budget, even though most of course would’ve liked to see more money in their accounts. Read the students’ answers below.

Text: Sara Dahlman

Translation: Karin Briheim

Photo: Jane Dinh

QUESTIONNAIRE: How do you make ends meet?

Senka Juzbasic, 24, Lund. Pays about 3100 kronor for housing.

“I’ve always had money saved up, but I don’t really know if I’m taking money from my savings account. I don’t have a job on the side, but I’ve been looking for one. I’d say I get by but you’re on a tight budget. Quite often you have to turn down invitations.”

Desirée Sterner, 21, Lund. Pays 3100 kronor for housing.

”I work extra as a private teacher and earn about 1000 kronor extra, that just about makes ends meet. Maybe I treat myself to a lot in the beginning. When unexpected expenses occur you take money from your savings, and activities have to be planned several months ahead. Some months I definitely lose money.”

Carl Angerborn, 23, Lund. Pays 3200 kronor for housing.

”I receive the full grant, and a housing allowance of 1000 kronor. Without the housing allowance I would have had to cut down on things like eating out, and maybe I would have had to get a job. The fact of the matter is that you just about make ends meet. The extra money you get at the beginning of the semester is used up in May, it’s not something you can use during the semester.”

Alexander Fagerlund, 22, Lund. Pays 2500 kronor for housing.

”I only receive the grant, but I had some money saved up since I was working for two years when I lived at home. But you do walk around the store checking the prices. Sometimes you eat omelets and tuna during the weekdays. I have a job on the side as well where I earn between 0 and 8000 kronor a month.

Carl Swartling, 24, Lund. Pays 3000 kronor for housing.

”I have a job on the side where I earn between 1000 and 2000 kronor a month. You lose money anyway, even though you work, and have to take money from your savings. Luxuries you sometimes have to cut down on are eating out, food and meat. Though I did buy a new TV last week, but I had saved up for it.

Josefine Waldenström, 22, Lund. Pays 4200 kronor for housing.

”I’m not in a state of personal financial crisis, but you have to remember to hold on to your money. Prioritizing is key. I pay quite a lot for my one-room apartment, but I’m very happy that I have a place. I use money from my summer jobs, but it’s not a lot. Otherwise I would have got by on 9000 kronor, but I would have worried more about the money.”