'Ukrainian students to drop out en masse next academic year'

This article is also avalaible in Dutch

A lot of Ukrainian Saxion students are in danger of dropping out if the tuition fee is not lowered. This is what Ukrainian Fashion & Textile Technologies student Ruslana Bosakevych says. "Especially the freshmen I speak to will then choose to continue their studies in a cheaper country. It's a worry on top of all the other worries." 

Ukrainians currently pay the high rate for non-EU students; about 8,000 euros in tuition fees per year. That amount, in part due to the war, is far from affordable by everyone, leading to major concerns about the upcoming college year. Bosakevych (19): "For example, I haven't received any money from my parents for two months. If I hadn't already been in the middle of my studies, I would have left too." 

Some 75 Ukrainian students study at Saxion. Bosakevych says he knows almost all of them, and also those at, for example, Artez and the UT in Enschede. "It's a huge concern, on top of all the other concerns. Especially for freshmen, it is now very real to go to a cheaper country, where for this money you can easily live AND pay for your school." 

She makes an impassioned plea for lower fees. "We don't deserve these high prices. In Ukraine, we are now fighting for Europe and European values. We are paying with our lives." 

Saxion itself cannot reduce the high non-EU fee for Ukrainian students. Earlier Saxion pleaded with Minister Dijkgraaf to reduce that fee quickly, when he met three Ukrainian students at Saxion. The assembled universities, the Association of Universities of Applied Sciences and the Foundation for Refugee Students UAF sent a letter to Dijkgraaf last week. In it, they argue that Ukrainian students should be given the same status as students from the EEA, so that they can claim study financing and lower tuition fees. And they think this should be clarified soon, because right now many students are faced with the choice of what they will do next year. 

Temporary protected status

A spokesperson for the minister let it be known by e-mail that the ministry 'understands' the concerns of students. 'The group of Ukrainian refugees (including current and prospective students) can be given a temporary protected status.' According to him, it is being investigated what the rights become of this residence status. 'Such as, for example, institution tuition fees or the statutory tuition fees. The Chamber will be informed about this as soon as possible.'

Earlier Saxion already established an emergency financial package for Ukrainian students, the school then announced that it is still working on longer term solutions. Moreover, according to the ministry, additional money has recently been released for support; 2.5 million euros. 

According to Ruslana Bosakevych, a decision on the tuition fee cannot come soon enough from politicians. "We have chosen Holland, very consciously. It's up to them now."