100,000 Portuguese university students (roughly 25% of the nation’s total) have only €50 to live on per month after paying ‘fixed costs’ of fees, transport and rent. A study conducted by 11 academic associations and federations has found that 7% of these students are considering giving up on their studies due to financial difficulties. Students’ economic problems have resulted from ‘loss of employment within the family group (32%); the worsening situation of a family business (27.5%); the students’ own loss of work (15.5%) and layoff (4%).
