Students the Otago Daily Times spoke to yesterday were concerned about the change’s impact — ‘‘that’s screwed me’’, one said.
Last week, New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters revealed the fees-free university scheme, which covered the final year of tertiary education study for students, would be scrapped in the upcoming Budget.
Finance Minister Nicola Willis confirmed the decision and said students completing their tertiary studies this year remained eligible for the scheme.
‘‘It might actually affect whether I actually finish university because I was counting on not having to pay for my last year.
‘‘It’s definitely scary, I’d say, because a lot of people are paying for their tuition out of their own back pockets, me included.
‘‘I think it’s just very disappointing and makes the future more uncertain.’’
Otago University student Sam Glynan and visiting Victoria University of Wellington student Tommy Soria, both second-years, were dismayed to learn of the ‘‘brutal’’ changes yesterday.
‘‘An extra ten grand we’ll have to pay off for the rest of our lives would be quite difficult,’’ Mr Soria said.
‘‘Fees-free was not a luxury; it removed a major financial hurdle, enabling students who might otherwise have been excluded to enrol.
‘‘For some, it was the deciding factor in whether tertiary study was possible at all.’’
The change risked more students delaying study, reducing course loads or withdrawing entirely, and in the long term, it would affect New Zealand’s economic capability, he said.
‘‘It could increase debt levels and deepen hardship at a time when student poverty and financial stress are already well documented.’’
