You account for a 759 SEK deficit every month. This is a calculation made by the Swedish National Union of Students (SFS). Therefore, the parliament member of the left-wing party, Vänsterpartiet, Rossana Dinamarca, claims that the study allowance should immediately be increased by 750 SEK per month. For starters.
The fact that students account for negative figures means that many students have to work in addition to their studies. That is why the Vänsterpartiet parliament member, Rossana Dinamarca, has composed a motion to the parliament, since it is, according to her, something that may have an adverse affect on Swedish universities.
“There’s going to be a quality decline at Swedish universities if students are forced to look for jobs. Enough with raising the tax-free amount cap,” says Rossana Dinamarca.
“Our aim would have been an increase of 760 SEK per month, but the budget wouldn’t stomach that, so we settled with 750 SEK,” she continues.
The parliament member of the more conservative party, Moderaterna, disagrees with the view that students working in addition to their studies is a problem.
“It’s a patronizing statement coming from the left wing. Work is a valuable experience,” he says.
Correlation between study loans and social background
According to SFS, the study loan quantity carries importance as it relates to people’s wish to get an education. People coming from academic backgrounds are more likely to collect larger study loan amounts during their studies.
“Surveys show that this varies depending on what social background people have in relation to how willing they are to take study loans. It is a heavy financial burden when it is time to pay back. Things need to be more even,” says Erik Pedersen, SFS vice President.
Erik Pedersen claims that the subsidy and the loan need to be more equally balanced. Today, young people end their study periods with an unreasonable debt.
“At SFS, we are of the mindset that the study subsidy should be increased by 800 SEK per month,” he says. The aim is to have a 50-50 ratio between subsidy and loan, which has been abandoned over last couple of years.
Should be more equal
The suggestion presented by Vänsterpartiet aims to gradually increasing the subsidy over a three-year period. Vänsterpartiet wishes to have the subsidy portion and the loan portion more equally balanced. According to their motion, this measure will cost 2,4 billion SEK. According to Rossana Dinamarca, everything will be funded by tax increases.
“It’s a wide comprehensive approach. For instance, we refute the RUT deduction, and instead we increase taxes,” she says.
Jan Ericson does not see how the study allowance is a problem.
“I am proud of the fact that we have restored the student economy. I wonder if the subsidy portion has ever been this high, as it is right now, and the interest rates are lower,” he says.
Text: Jonas Wegestål
Translation: Maximilian Aleman-Tennell
