25.06.2025
Bern, June 25, 2025 – The Swiss Student Union (VSS) is deeply disappointed by the Federal Council’s budget message on the 2027 relief program published today. Despite more than 1,500 responses to the consultation process and widespread criticism, the Federal Council is sticking to drastic cuts in education.
In particular, the planned “strengthening of user financing” – effectively a doubling of tuition fees – will hit students hard. This burden jeopardizes equal opportunities and Switzerland’s position as a center of innovation. The cantons have also spoken out against higher fees. They would have to adjust their scholarship systems, while students would be excluded or suffer from increasing pressure to earn a living – with negative consequences for study time and longer study periods. Meanwhile, the Federal Council has not provided any well-founded assessments of the social and economic impact of the measures.
Contrary to the Federal Council’s assessment, the VSS remains convinced that without fundamental reforms, the scholarship system will not be sufficient to effectively cushion the impact, especially on socio-economically disadvantaged students. Although, according to the Federal Statistical Office, over 60 percent of students struggle with financial difficulties, scholarships and loans account for only 4 percent of the funds available to them on average. Unused scholarship funds are not a sign of financial security, but rather an expression of a system that is failing to fulfill its purpose.
In addition to fee increases, the program also envisages cuts in research, vocational training, and mobility—with far-reaching consequences for quality and international competitiveness.
The VSS demands that the federal government’s austerity measures not be carried out at the expense of students. The petition launched by the VSS against the doubling of tuition fees has already been signed by around 35,000 people—a clear sign of widespread opposition. With its 150,000 members, the VSS remains committed to equal opportunities and free access to education.
For further information:
Sophie Wang
Co-Präsidentin (f/e/d)
+41 79 290 68 51
sophie.wang@vss-unes.ch
Carlotta Ehrenzeller
Co-Generalsekretärin (d/f/e)
+41 31 382 11 71
gs-sg@vss-unes.ch
