Avignon: the cost of the start of the academic year has increased
By APEI Press Agency
Published on
Going back to university in Avignon will cost on average 2.8% more expensive this year than the previous one. This is the observation made by Inter’Asso Avignon after the publication of its annual study of the cost of the start of the school year. Concretely, a student had to pay for his return to class €2,354.53.
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Inflation also affects students
To arrive at this percentage, the student organization bases itself on the methodology developed by the Federation of General Student Associations (FAGE). The typical profile is a 20-year-old undergraduate student, without double registration, non-scholarship holder and who no longer lives at home. The study is based on criteria divided into two categories : the costs specific to the start of the academic year and the costs of everyday life.
“Some specific costs have increased significantly. This is the case of insurance which increases by 12%, or the purchase of the teaching materials which increases by 15%, transport also”, lists Paola Capelleman, president of InterAsso Avignon. So many increases on request it is difficult to act because they are linked to inflation which has affected the country for several months.
50% of the budget in the rent
The student association then concentrates its efforts on an area where it can have a hold: housing, the cost of which is increased by 1%. “It may seem ridiculous, but when you know that 50% of a student’s budget goes into rentit’s not”, explains Paolo Capelleman.
Among the demands of Inter’Asso: the construction of more housing. In September 2018, the government launched the “60,000 Student Housing Plan” which is struggling to materialize. Thus Avignon and its 10,000 students only has seven halls of residence.
10 month leases
Today, a student from Avignon spends on average 450 €, without charges, for a studio that he will most certainly have to return for the summer. Because in the City of the Popes, leases are often for 10 months to allow owners to rent their property at a high price during the summer and the Avignon festival. A particularity that plunges some students into precariousness.
“There are students who work in parallel with classes and who cannot return home at the end of classes. When summer comes, they have to return their apartment. The problem is that with the festival, the prices are out of budget and the real estate market is totally saturated”, detail Paola Capelleman who admits having already hosted students who have not found a housing solution.
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