KUWAIT: Kuwaiti university students enjoy the benefit of receiving a monthly student allowance of KD 200. However, due to rising prices and the increased cost of living affecting every aspect of life, this amount of financial support has become insufficient for many students. They argue that the allowance is often spent before the end of the month and are calling for an increase of at least KD 100 to help cover their financial needs. Kuwait Times spoke to three students from different universities in Kuwait to look into their needs.

Mariam Boushehri, student at Kuwait University, Faculty of Arts, said: “We are very grateful for the benefit our country provides us with, which makes many things easier. However, today the allowance almost runs out before the next month’s allowance is due. We heard rumors some time ago about an increase in the student allowance from KD 200 to KD 300, and students were very hopeful, but unfortunately, this decision was not implemented. Perhaps in the past, the allowance was sufficient or even exceeded students’ needs and monthly expenses, but today everything is becoming more expensive, so I believe that increasing the student’s allowance has become necessary to ease students’ lives.”

On the other hand, Yaqoub, who recently graduated from a private university in Kuwait, shared his view based on his personal experience as a student: “The allowance is like a monthly support for university students. After entering university and receiving the student allowance, I no longer asked my parents for financial support since I received KD 200 monthly, which was expected to be sufficient, but unfortunately, it was not.

Personally, I did not own a car as a student and I spent my university years using taxis, which cost me about KD 8 to KD 10 daily for transportation to and from the university. This consumed a significant portion of my allowance, not to mention the expenses for food within the campus because I had to stay at the university for long hours until I completed all my lectures before returning home. Therefore, I strongly advocate for an increase in the student allowance, especially for those who do not own a car during their studies. I also believe that even those who drive need an increase since they spend part of their allowance on fuel.”

Zainab Dashti highlighted the major expenses consuming a significant portion of the student allowance. She mentioned that a large part is spent on supplementary courses and private tutoring, which many students need to meet the requirements of their academic majors and achieve good grades.

She noted that while some might be lenient about the expenses needed while on campus, the costs of food and drinks from campus cafés take up a large part of the allowance. She agreed with Yaqoub regarding transportation costs and also mentioned the need to buy more clothes, as there is no uniform at the university, which means more shopping, especially for female students. Although some may see these needs as trivial, they are not insignificant to university students.