On behalf of the Swedish National Union of Students, Novus has asked 300 university students around the country how they plan to support themselves this summer. The majority (65%) plan to support themselves in whole or in part through employment. But the labor market is tough this year, and corona has probably made the situation more difficult. 75% of the students have applied for a job by the summer, but only just over half (55%) of those who have applied have been offered a job. The rest of the jobseekers, ie 45%, are unsure if they will get a job.
Almost half (49%) of the students are worried about how they will support themselves during the summer and autumn. This corresponds to about 160 individuals.
- On Monday, the last study year of the academic year came into the account and many wonder how they will make it last until the next semester begins in August. I understand that students who do not get a job because of corona are worried. They will still have to pay for food and rent, says Simon Edström, vice chairman of the Swedish National Union of Students.
Some efforts have been made at government level to counteract the lack of employment among students. Among other things, Minister of Higher Education Matilda Ernkrans has announced 6 additional places on summer courses, as well as investments in distance education.
- Expanding the study places is good but it is not enough. 160 students are worried about how they will cope in the near future, we need investments of a completely different magnitude. The only reasonable solution that we see is a summer grant through CSN, which would allow to apply for study grants for July and August. Most people want to work and not increase their student debt, but this would be an emergency solution for those who end up in trouble, says Simon Edström, vice chairman of the Swedish National Union of Students.