How Uni costs punish us for wanting a better life
For all of us in England, University fees have become the norm. While we are excited about an education in our chosen course, a dark shadow of debt looms over us all, which we are haunted by for years to come. But should we really settle for this never-ending repayment?
How much do we have to repay?
Government figures have shown how much a current student would repay if they were to finish in three years' time:
To put that in perspective, this number is higher than the average UK salary of £36,831. Now, this may be less worrying for those far more fortunate. However, this grand debt only further disadvantages the already disadvantaged. To which the result of this is ultimately lowering equality of living as the payments follow us for years to come. Why should further education be a punishment rather than a great achievement?
As a student myself, it made me realise that I'm getting extra punished! As I began a degree in Film Production but my newly found interest in reading and writing drew me to restart with an English Literature course. For taking a huge shift in my life and altering my path, I am gifted with roughly an extra £15,000 debt to repay.
How delightful.
Why the money is not enough
You never get to see the tuition fees as they go straight to your Uni, but the case can be argued that there is a maintenance loan which supports your immediate living needs. But this becomes another repayment on top of the already high tuition fees. What the cheekiest part of all is it doesn't even cover students living costs!
Before deciding which University to go to, I weighed up the costs and eventually decided on attending the nearest campus and staying at home. I knew If I was away for Uni, I would feel too guilty and too stubborn to ask my single mother for extra financial help when we are already a low-income household. Unfortunately, my fear is a reality for many as two-thirds of students turn to their parents for extra funds.
Statistics show that I am not the only student from a disadvantaged background who decided to stay at home:
Yet while those in dorms may envy the commuting student who is without the cost of Uni accommodation, public transport drains that maintenance money just as quick.
So we see, making the choice between living in a dorm that you cannot afford or blowing money on commuting weekly is like having to choose between glass or needles for breakfast.
You're punished for whatever poison you pick.
Change is needed
What is baffling the most is that these degrees are needed. There is always a high demand for qualified professionals. Whether you want to be a doctor, an engineer, a lawyer and so on. The Guardian even has a whole section on their site with 516 articles dedicated to Teacher shortages. So why is there no support for those who desire to fill the demands?
My cousin is among those soon to be qualified, as she is about to graduate and become a midwife. I discussed this topic with her, and she described it as being bittersweet. She is on the cusp of achieving a dream she believed was unachievable but worries about the debt she and her two young boys will endure. Again, I must question, is this really how someone who has dedicated three long years of their life to be able to provide a valued service should feel?
For a country that prides itself on many qualities, it certainly loves to plague the young, old and any who strive for a chance at a better life and desire to provide high-demand services with debt on top of debt.
This is no way for people to be treated.
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