FNU Hostel Prices Increases and puts Pressure on Students' Budgets

The recent increase in hostel room prices at the Fiji National University (FNU) is causing significant financial strain for students and their families.

With the scholarship allowance remaining unchanged at $3400 per semester, many students are now struggling to cover both accommodation and living expenses.

"The scholarship allowance has not increased a bit. Students are given $3400 per semester and will now be spending most of it on accommodation, leaving almost nothing for their living allowance," said a concerned student.

"In this economy, we won’t even have enough to buy tuna and noodles."

The decision to raise accommodation rates was made by the university after an independent valuation of each room.

The last review of hostel fees was in 2018, and the fees have remained the same for six years.

These changes aim to align fees with current economic conditions and operational costs.

Students and their families are urging the Tertiary Scholarship and Loans Board (TSLB) and the Government to either increase the scholarship allowance or for FNU to reduce its room rates.

"I hope the student associations are writing to the TSLB/Govt to either increase the allowance or FNU to bring down its room rates," added the student.