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A new survey says rising rental costs are deterring poorer New Zealanders from getting a university education.
NZUSA President Jonathan Gee Photo: RNZ
The Union of Students' Associations has just released a new Income and Expenditure Survey which finds students' costs have risen faster than support.
The key findings of the report were that:
Access to tertiary education is dropping, especially for our poorest families
Student housing costs have increased significantly, especially Auckland where the average rent price is $250 per week per room in a three bedroom house
A third of students do not have enough income to meet their basic needs
Repayment times for student debt is increasing
78% of students believe their student debt will have a significant impact on their ability to save for their retirement
NZUSA President Jonathan Gee told Morning Report students are struggling to afford food, rent and books.