Government proposes changes to student aid
(CS/ml) Luxembourg Education Minister Claude Meisch has proposed changes to the planned reform of student financial aid, following widespread protest among students.
Meisch explained on Wednesday that students from families with more than one child will receive additional funds – some 500 euros per additional child.
Additionally, CEDIES allocated to students by parent income criteria will be raised from a maximum of 2,500 euros to a maximum of 3,000 euros. Children from families earning less than 4.5 times the minimum wage will be eligible for the maximum amount.
Students from high-income families will be excluded from this grant, but will be given the opportunity to take out a higher loan. Currently, the maximum loan is set at 6,500 euros.
Meisch nonetheless pointed out that the government remains committed to more selective payments, giving financial aid to students who really need it. Plans for a basic grant of 2,000 euros and a mobility stipend worth 2,000 euros remain unchanged.
Additionally, students can claim back up to 3,700 euros for tuition fees.
The changes come after a strike, which drew over 14,000 students to a protest march in Luxembourg City, demanding fairer student financial aid, allowing students to go to university independently of parent income.
Meisch hopes that the law will be passed in parliament before the summer break in order to come into effect before the 2014/15 university intake.
