Students and inflation: work more on the side or go back to the Hotel Mama

The rising prices for energy and food are causing great concern among many students - also in Hesse.

Among other things, there is a risk of higher costs for a place in a dormitory.

In the future, significantly higher deductions will be due, especially for flat-rate ancillary costs due to the higher energy costs.

"When it comes to energy prices, we still have the calm before the storm this summer," said Tim Hoppe, housing officer for the General Student Committee (Asta) at Frankfurt's Goethe University.

But you can already see how the nervousness is gradually increasing in the circle of acquaintances.

The Studierendenwerk Darmstadt, for example, has been asking for 17 percent more in the flat-rate for additional costs since July, and an increase of 16 percent is planned for the Studentenwerk Gießen, according to a response from the Ministry of Science in Wiesbaden to a parliamentary question from the left-wing faction in the state parliament.

Up until now, Asta Frankfurt has been offering tenancy law advice once a week together with a tenants' association.

"We assume that we will expand this offer," said Hoppe.

What demands do the students have?

"The most important thing for us is a guarantee that there will be face-to-face teaching in the winter semester."

Energy costs of the universities shifted to the private sector

Universities and libraries are relevant places to stay for students.

Closing these completely or partially to save energy is the wrong approach.

"Then the energy costs of the universities will be shifted to private individuals." And it was already noticed during the Corona period what a psychological burden it was to take part in university classes from a small dorm room.

In addition to the energy costs, the sharp rise in food costs is also a major challenge for the students.

It is to be expected that many will have to work part-time more in the future, said Hoppe.

But that is again at the expense of the university, “so that one has to assume that they will then need more time for their studies overall”.

In Kassel, too, students have to adjust to higher costs for the dormitories.

The ancillary costs are continuously adjusted to the development of energy costs, said Brigitte Schwarz, spokeswoman for the student union.

"In this respect, increases are foreseeably necessary."

Many students were very worried about the currently drastically rising cost of living.

"Those who do not live in student dormitories have to reckon with high back payments for energy costs," explained Schwarz.

"Concern is growing particularly among students who come from low-income families." In the current situation, they are simply not in a position to support their student children financially.

"These students are on their own," emphasized Schwarz.

"We have identified a clear need for advice on the financial situation of students." From their discussions with students, the university's advisory teams also reported that they were considering discontinuing their studies for cost reasons.

"The students need help, especially when a crisis is the new normal and many families are running out of money.

They must not be forgotten in the event of possible relief,” emphasized Schwarz.

Part-time courses only

Financial worries are currently occupying many students, explained Jasmin Rebscher, spokeswoman for the Asta at the RheinMain University of Applied Sciences in Wiesbaden.

“Students with children are particularly afraid of getting into financial difficulties.” At the same time, there are many who move back to their parents because of the high rents.

"Especially for single parents, that seems to be the only solution at the moment."

The Asta has been observing for some time that students only take part-time courses or study alongside their job, explained Rebscher.

The student representatives expect that the study times will increase by at least one semester across all departments, since students now have to work more on the side.

The costs for dormitories are already so high "that the flat-rate housing allowance for student loans hardly reflects the reality of life for students," says the Asta in Gießen.

The Asta regularly received emails with questions about possible funding.

"We are already aware of cases of college dropouts due to finances, and more will inevitably come."