Authors

• Research Foundation for Studies and Education (Otus)

Keywords

economic conditions, educational finance, educational grants, homelessness, housing, housing benefits, income, living conditions, standard of living, student loans, wealth

Abstract

The data surveys university students' incomes, employment, housing and changes in these aspects. The survey was carried out by the Research Foundation for Studies and Education (Otus) and funded by the Student Union of Tampere University (TREY), the Student Union of the University of Turku (TYY), the Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland (ISYY), the Student Union of the University of Jyväskylä (JYY) and the Student Union of Åbo Akademi University (ÅAS).

First, respondents were asked about the income of carers, moving to another place to study, housing and homelessness, and sharing household expenses. Respondents were also asked to estimate their monthly expenditure. Respondents were asked whether they were receiving any student financial allowances for the studies they were currently pursuing, and how adequate the number of months of financial aid seemed at the moment. The reasons for raising student loans and other sources of income, such as support from parents or other close relatives, were also of interest.

Next, they were asked about working, the reasons for working while studying and the impact of working on the progress of their studies. Respondents were asked to assess the adequacy of their own financial resources and their own employment prospects after graduation. Respondents were also asked whether they had taken out consumer credit, applied for food aid or taken any other action in the last 12 months to deal with a tight financial situation. Finally, the respondents were asked about the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on their financial situation.

Background variables included year of starting studies, university, faculty, age group, gender, native language, number of children in care and minority status.