22.04.2021
Students continue to pay dormitory rent despite studying remotely. A situation that puts some of the inactive young people in a difficult position. Some have chosen to return to their hometowns, while others combine studies and work in the capital. In front of the cashier at Sofia University in Student City, near block 42, there is a queue of students waiting to pay. Mikhail Petrov, a third-year journalism student, told BGNES that since they are studying online, it is only fair that the rent amount be at least reduced. "In my opinion, the rent could be reduced rather than not exist at all. It is not that large anyway. We are talking about a very small amount, especially for a dormitory in the capital," he said. From his words, it became clear that during the state of emergency, students had not paid rent. "This eased my finances and my budget as a student," Petrov commented, specifying that he pays 30 BGN per month, while his utility costs for electricity and water are usually up to 10 BGN. "There are also those who have given up on the dormitory, but these are people who have housing in Sofia or are from Pernik or Radomir and decide not to pay," the student stated. Yordanka Yaneva, who studies at UASG, explained that two people live in a dormitory room, but they pay 80 BGN per person per month, which includes electricity and water bills. "Quite a few people are here, but some simply work, and now we have been online for one week and in-person for one," she said. The Public Relations Department of the Technical University told BGNES that their students used a 50% rent discount in January 2021, and the same opportunity was available in April and May 2020, with the difference that then they had to declare that they did not occupy the dormitory. The higher education institutions also stated that there are no students who have renounced the dormitory and explained that if someone does not wish to pay rent, they must leave, but can reapply in the summer. They further added that the university rector is about to issue an order determining how the educational process will continue. Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the caretaker government approved the application and tuition fees for students and doctoral students for the new academic year 2021/2022. In state higher education institutions, the average application fee for the next year will be 45 BGN, with an average tuition fee of 1090 BGN. Compared to this year, the application fee is 50 BGN, and the tuition fee is 950 BGN. The new amounts were approved based on proposals received from academic leadership. The application and tuition fees at BAS and scientific organizations for the next year remain unchanged - 30 BGN for application and an average tuition fee for doctoral students of 460 BGN.
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Bgnes.bg, 22.04.2021
