It is no secret that our current stipend system, while electorally cozy for all parties concerned, is far from efficient. Nevertheless, last Monday’s Budget has added another twist, as stipends are to be now to be given to all mature students on a full-time course at Mcast and University.

Other students might have heard this news and simply shrugged because it is not of immediate concern to them. There might also be a few dissenting voices on the matter. This increase in stipends will definitely lead to a horde of non-student online commenters to write about how students are spoilt brats who should not receive a dime from the government, and to argue that money spent on stipends is better off being used elsewhere.

Some students may argue that an increase in stipend expenditure is the last thing that our already-constricted Budget needs, especially since research funds for the University is so abysmally low when compared to other educational establishments.

But for the relatively few students who will benefit from the measure, this is not simply a mere financial incentive: it is a lifeline.

I have met a number of mature full-time students both in my faculty and in the student organisation I form part of. Most recount about how difficult it is, both personally and financially, to stop their full-time employment to enroll in a new course in order to improve their academic standing. It is far from an easy transition, and quite a number of them eventually drop out of their course either due to financial constrains or personal issues.

According to the Budget speech, around 276 full-time mature students will now be eligible for stipends. This small number (which hopefully will increase in the foreseeable future) will definitely not be a heavy burden on Maltese coffers. Notwithstanding the immediate increase in expenditure, one must consider that most of these students would have actually contributed to tax revenue in their previous employment, and will continue doing so to a greater extent in the near future.

Let’s be honest: The stipend is not going to make people rich. It is not even enough to cover basic living expenses for a month. But this small amount of money can definitely be managed wisely to compensate for education-related expenses.

Aside from the accounting aspect, however, the most important aspect is the authorities’ recognition of the difficulties faced by mature full-time students. It is a first attempt to help current and future mature students to take the leap.

Matthew Charles Zammit is a 3rd year Bachelor of Laws student.