• After another very complicated year because of the Covid-19 for the students, they have just returned to school 100% face to face.

  • Even if they can go to class, one reality has not changed: that of precariousness.

  • In Nice, it is all the more important because the cost of living is high.

More than 2,500 euros.

This is the amount that a student must pay on average to return to school in September in Nice, according to a study by the Federation of student associations and corporations of the Alpes-Maritimes (Face 06).

"This back-to-school cost has increased by 3.47% compared to the previous year," says its president Rémy Bruny.

The price of housing alone is 4% more expensive, with around 640 euros in rent for a studio.

"

A real estate agent already said it in June at

20 Minutes

: “The sun has to be paid for”. And the month of September is all the more difficult because the students are still waiting for their scholarships. "Fortunately, I worked this summer, otherwise, I don't know how I would do it", exclaims Myriam *, in third year of business studies. Despite the social assistance from Crous, she will still have to work weekends as a receptionist and in the mornings as a babysitter before going to class. A situation that bothers her, especially with her classmates "who do not live in the same financial world" as her. “Insecurity is also social. I avoid going out on purpose so as not to be embarrassed. "

Mathieu *, foreign student confirms.

"If I go out with other friends, I don't buy anything."

He has other tips to avoid spending.

“I am currently in an internship, so I always prepare myself to eat before leaving so as not to go to restaurants or make other food purchases.

"At the end of the month, after having paid his rent," in a shared apartment because living alone is not financially possible in Nice ", and his other monthly charges, he has nothing left of the 550 euros bonus that he has. gets.

“The scholarship I was receiving from my country stopped this year,” he adds.

A life more expensive than elsewhere

In order not to live "on the edge" of poverty and not be in a complicated situation in case of unforeseen circumstances, the mechanical engineering student found a job, three evenings a week. "It was necessary but now I don't have a social life at all because I'm too tired to be able to enjoy it." He made the bitter observation that the cost of living between Orléans, where he began his studies, and Nice is really different. "When, over there, I had 25 euros of shopping, here, it is 35 or 40 euros". Myriam, originally from Clermont-Ferrand, agrees: “Even buying the sub-brand of the sub-brand, I find it difficult to get it for less than 50 euros per week. "

Faced with this reality, the Face06 created the first Agoaré in France, a student solidarity grocery store, ten years ago.

“At the end of last year, there were 300 beneficiaries.

There, in one week, we have already had 100 submissions, a figure that we had taken a month to reach in 2020, ”says Rémy Bruny.

To help fight against this precariousness "which still exists, even if we are no longer in confinement", the Face06 has published a "Guide to social assistance" for students on the Riviera.

It will also inaugurate in October, the first solidarity restaurant in France.

“Two evenings a week, 50 students who have booked in advance will be able to benefit from a free starter, main course and dessert.

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Maintenance of covid aid from the Université Côte d'Azur

Against social isolation "directly linked to precariousness", the organization also offers, for the first years, a "completely free day of integration with an intercampus challenge and a concert".

The president of the student federation specifies that the city of Nice, the Crous and the University of Côte d'Azur (UCA) support their actions "without whom it would not be possible".

The latter institution clarified at a press conference back to school on Monday, the maintenance of the aids developed during confinements, such as the loan of computers.

"70% of covid actions were devoted to financially fighting against the fragility of student life," said UCA president Jeanick Brisswalter.

Both in financial matters, as in physical and mental health, in digital fragility.

"

He also acknowledged: “The Côte d'Azur offers availability for accommodation, food and social life, but it remains expensive.

This is a major problem.

The crisis is not over and neither is its effects.

This is definitely not the time to let our students down.

"

* The first names have been changed.

Society

"You have to count the money you have every day to eat" ... Students tell about their daily life in the face of precariousness

Society

A solidarity grocery store helps nearly a quarter of the 900 students at a university residence in Nice

  • Precarious

  • Covid 19

  • Society

  • Nice