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A shocking survey conducted by Save the Student revealed this week that one fifth of university students have had to resort to gambling, the drug trade and even prostitution to pay their skyrocketing tuition bills.
One College junior named Helen said: “Before, when I had a ‘conventional’ job, I really struggled with money – I am great at budgeting but money just wouldn’t stretch.”
Helen gave up that “conventional” job for topless dancing. Now she’s making mint.
The survey found that one in every twenty students participated in the sex industry to earn money, with jobs that included exotic dancing, online sex shows via webcam and ‘naked butler’ stripping (don’t ask).
Gambling is another lucrative means of making ends meet while attending college as most online websites welcome those 18 and up as opposed to U.S. land-based casinos that prohibit anyone under the age of 21 from playing.
Joél from San Juan, Puerto Rico, who just completed his junior year at an unnamed Florida university, tells Gambling911.com he believes this survey to be accurate.
“I play online poker ad the only negative is that my buddies know I win lots of money and expect me to pay whenever we go out to the clubs.”
Joel cited the World Series of Poker and individuals, some of them "no-names", cashing out hundreds of thousands of dollars as a motivational factor – and probably among the reasons he is failing a Biology course.
“I nearly qualified to participate in the World Series of Poker at one site I play at, Americas Cardroom," he reveals. “Who the hell wants to dissect frogs for a living anyway?”
Undergraduates surveyed said they spent an average £410 on rent and bills per month, £110 on food, and £225 on other costs, including socializing (£67), travel (£48), and books (£27).
Save the Student editor Owen Burek said students loans have not kept up with increases in living costs.
“Maintenance loans don’t reflect real living costs, regional differences and parents’ ability to contribute – frankly, they’re out of touch with individual circumstances and student needs.
“Until access payments become fairer and more relevant, all we’re doing is papering the cracks.”
- Nagesh Rath, Gambling911.com
