Currently, the CoVid-19 pandemic is having a direct and significant impact on all students in the Netherlands - regardless of their country of origin. Despite this, the Rijksuniversity of Groningen has decided to raise their tuition fees for the academic year 2020/2021, which especially effects non-EU students.

The aim of this petition is 1) to make the university aware of the economic and psychological consequences that an increase in tuition fees brings for non-EU students and 2) to keep the tuition fees on the same level that they have been for the academic year of 2019/2020.

This pandemic has several implications for international students: access to educational facilities is limited for an unspecified amount of time, the quality of education is reduced (online classes are not as "rich" in information as physical classes), and it becomes inherently more difficult to find (and keep) a job.

For example, international 2nd year Mathematics students have to make up for a 200€ increase in tuition fees for the upcoming academic year compared to last year (an increase from 11.100€ last year to 11.300€ this year). This might seem like a marginal increase, however, it could have severe financial and psychological implications for affected students and their families. Emotional distress and a fear of not being able to continue their study are only two of many direct consequences that many international students encounter due to the increase in tuition fees, which could  jeopardize the existing trust between students and the RUG.

We would greatly appreciate any kind of support and feedback on this matter, even if you have not directly been affected by increasing tuition fees during the corona crisis.

Thank you very much for reading this far and stay healthy!