Students in Hungary in trouble: low scholarships, financial problems

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It has been three years since scholarships were last increased. However, that increase is nowhere to be seen today because of soaring inflation. Half of students in Hungary struggle to make ends meet, according to a recent survey.

With student spendings up by 10-25 percent in a year, most students are trying to save money. They typically spend less on entertainment, food and clothes, according to a recent survey. Student grants and social allowances were increased three years ago, but inflation has made them ineffective, Eduline writes.

Some of the monthly expenditure for a university student are as follows:

  • monthly student pass in Budapest: HUF 3,450 (EUR 9);
  • rent for an average apartment in the capital: HUF 145,000 (EUR 379) (if three people share the apartment, HUF 48,000 [EUR 125.4] each) plus utilities;
  • telephone bill, mobile data: at least HUF 6-7,000 (EUR 15.7-18.3)

On top of this come food, clothes, medicines, school fees, etc.

Since 2020, the minimum amount of the scholarship is HUF 8300 (EUR 21.7).

However, even this is not available to self-funded students. The average scholarship is not much higher, ranging between HUF 15-25,000 (EUR 39.2-65.3) per month, napi.hu writes. Those who are also eligible for social grants can expect to receive at least HUF 16-32,000 (EUR 41.8-83.6) a month. However, for the majority of students, the amount of regular university grants – both academic and social – is still no higher than HUF 40-50,000 (EUR 104.5-130.6) per month.

The student standard allowance (hallgatói normatíva) is used as the basis for calculating scholarships and social allowances. This sum has been HUF 166,600 (EUR 435.1) from 1 February 2020. Of course, this amount will not be paid out to all students, but higher education institutions can use it to provide financial support to students with good academic results and those in need.

“Although not much time has passed since the last increase, this money has practically been devalued,” Marcell Eszterhai, president of the National Conference of Student Self-Governments (Hallgatói Önkormányzatok Országos Konferenciája, HÖOK), who has been in office since January, told Eduline. He added that tackling the problem will definitely be a major focus of his next two-year presidency.

Source: Eduline.hu, napi.hu

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