No Room
With the new academic year approaching, finding accommodation remains one of the biggest concerns for many students in Luxembourg.
Mattis Noel, president of the Association of Luxembourg Student Circles (ACEL), said the organisation is regularly contacted by both Luxembourgish and international students struggling to find affordable housing.
He underlined that the main problem is not simply high rents, but a lack of supply. Noel argued that increasing the number of available student homes would also help bring prices down by creating more competition.
The new student aid reform, approved by parliament in June, increased the mobility grant for students studying abroad, introduced partial reimbursement for language tests, and provided for the state grant to be indexed every semester. Interest on student loans has been capped at 1.8%, down from 2%, while students can now receive a completion bonus after finishing a study cycle.
ACEL remains broadly positive about the reform, having worked with the Higher Education Ministry on the changes for two to three years. However, Noel stressed that the system should continue to evolve. ACEL continues to criticise the fact that students cannot receive the mobility grant if they live and study in the same country.
The Greens have raised concerns that conditions have worsened for part-time students, who can now earn no more than 80% of the qualified minimum wage to remain eligible for a grant. ACEL does not see this as a major issue, pointing out that such students can still apply for a student loan.
89% of Luxembourg students study abroad. Those who stay home compete for a housing supply that doesn't exist. The reform helps with money, but money doesn't create rooms.