Saudi students on Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ foreign scholarship programs have expressed relief over the Council of Minister’s decision to increase students’ allowance.

Many students indicated that this decision would help alleviate their financial burdens and facilitate life.

“This decision couldn’t have come at a better time, as I was about to quit my part-time job at the university library, because I was facing a hard time juggling between studying and work,” said Mohammed Alshahrani, an engineering student at San Diego State University in California. “Furthermore, I face a dilemma with regards to expensive rent; apartments in the vicinity of the university are high-priced, but if I live further, I will need to get a car, which creates other financial issues for me.”

Ahmad Ezzi, a marketing student in Boston University, hopes the decision will materialize and be implemented soon.

He added: “There have been several requests from students over the past two years for an allowance increase. However, our appeals have been declined for several reasons. I wish officials would understand how financial woes stress students and distract them from studying, and cause some to fail their courses. I really hope they come through for us this time.”

According to Ahmad Al Sindi, a mechanical engineering student living in Portsmouth, the rapidly increasing expenses have also affected students in the UK.

“This raise will benefit us a lot; my major requires me to purchase many tools and expensive equipment. I sometimes find myself unable to buy these instruments, as my rent consumes two thirds of the allowance,” he said.

He added: “Another problem many of us in the UK face is the fact that landlords require us to pay three months advance installments for the apartments we wish to rent, which is impossible given our current allowance.”

The cabinet’s decision also stipulates increasing the allowance allocated to the scholarship students’ spouses, who accompany them abroad, thereby easing the burden for young parents.

“I never imagined children’s supplies would be this costly. I have resorted to tutoring Arabic to students at the university in order to earn extra money to cover childcare expenses. Not to mention that my parents still send me money at the end of every month,” said Mashhour Baeshen, a student and father of a baby girl.

As the cost of living rises, many scholarship students increasingly rely on their parents to send them money to help them make ends meet.

“My parents understand how costly life is in Canada, so they wire me extra cash every month. I don’t dine at fancy restaurants nor buy brand clothing, however grocery shopping and bills consume my allowance,” said Hayfaa Al-Harbi, a finance student in Vancouver.

“This decision will ease the burden on my parents. I will not longer ask them to transfer money to get me through the month,” she added.