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'Increasing student debt is not a support package'

Hugo Cameron
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Student associations are disappointed with the Government package, saying loan increases aren't helpful during the COVID-19 pandemic

Education Minister Chris Hipkins last week outlined the package which aims to financially assist students affected by COVID-19.

The package increases the amount of course-related costs students can claim by $1000, meaning a total of $2000 could be borrowed for home learning.

The Government promised students unable to study online would keep getting support payments.

Students who couldn't complete a course because of the pandemic would not have their future entitlements to loans or free fees affected.

However, Isabella Lenihan-Ikin, national president of the New Zealand Union of Students Associations, said the union was "really disappointed" by the package.

"Increasing student debt is not a support package," Lenihan-Ikin said.

"At a time where everyone else in the country is receiving benefits or financial support from the Government in ways they do not have to pay back... why should students be the only group of the population who are expected to borrow to live at this time."

"It was too late," she added.

"The Government said it was a quick fix solution. Well if it was a quick fix solution it should've happened immediately."

The support wasn't available for part-time students, people over 55, and students who have had residency for less than three years, which Lenihan-Ikin said cut out people most at need.

"We've got people who are parents, who are caregivers, students with disabilities, vulnerable groups of students who may be studying part time denied Government support," she said.

Lenihan-Ikin said NZUSA had a student action plan for COVID-19 which could be an alternative to the support package.

The plan proposes a universal student allowance and states COVID-19 revealed existing inequity in the tertiary system.

The Auckland University Students' Association also voiced disappointment with the package on Facebook, saying it did little for students now facing job loss and living cost increases.

"An increase of $1000 to the course-related costs loan is helpful but why do students have to incur even more debt to help themselves during this pandemic?" the AUSA asked in the post.

"With the average rent in Auckland for a two-bedroom place at over $490 a week, living costs and student loans aren’t enough to get by even during normal times." 

It urged the Government to "do the right thing" and said the NZUSA's action plan posed a reasonable alternative. 

Caleb Howell, a second year television and screen student at Ara Institute of Canterbury, said the Government support was "bare minimum".

"If this is one of the few steps they're taking it's pretty pathetic," he said.

"No other adult in New Zealand is being encouraged to deal with coronavirus struggles by getting more loans out," Howell said.