They thus hope to “curb poverty” and facilitate “the development of autonomy” of young people and their access to higher education. Fourteen university presidents called this Tuesday in a column published by The worldto the creation of a “study allowance for all students”.
In a context of high inflation and “economic precariousness” among students, the signatories recommend “a major structural reform of scholarships, with the objective of establishing a study allowance for all students and all students, like what is done in other European countries.
“Reduce socio-economic inequalities”
“Neither the scholarships based on social criteria, which concern around 750,000 students”, nor the “exceptional aid” released at the end of 2022 by the government in favor of associations supporting precarious students “are enough to curb student poverty”, observe in this forum the responsible for 14 universities – including Montpellier, Aix-Marseille, Strabourg, Lumière-Lyon-II, Jean-Moulin-Lyon III, Sorbonne Université or Paris-1-Panthéon Sorbonne.
A study allowance for all “would reduce socio-economic inequalities, but also the effects of family breakdowns, thus promoting access to higher education and social cohesion”, they argue. This would also “facilitate the development of students’ autonomy”, guarantee them “a decent income” and “constitute real economic and social recognition”.
One in two students skip meals
This allowance could “evolve as you progress through a course”, detail the signatories. The financial autonomy of students would also “promote international mobility”, and would be part of “a real social project”, based in particular on “access to higher education for the greatest number of people”, they continue.
An increase in the amount of student grants (of 37 euros per month) took place at the start of the school year, and a structural reform is expected in the coming months. According to an IFOP study for the food distribution association Cop1, published last week, almost one in two students (46%) have already eliminated a meal because of inflation.