Al Habash, Dean of Student Affairs at University:

SR 3000, marriage subsidy, from Student Fund

.100% Beneficiaries

As an extension of King Khalid University’s submission for its students, male and female, in their educational careers regarding financial and spiritual support as well as guidance, the university offers programs that contribute to serving students through the Student's Fund.

Dean of Student Affairs at King Khalid University, Dr. Merayee Saad Al-Habash, explained that the university offers a subsidy for married students estimated at SR3 000, while the proportion of beneficiaries is 100%. He added that the amount for emergency subsidies reached SR5 000 and the Fund pays nearly SR8 million for Student Activities yearly.

He reported that the Students' Fund presented a number of subsidies during the past year, such as the marriage subsidy, and a spectacles subsidy, in addition to subsidies for people experiencing difficult financial conditions, and people with special needs. He noted that the amounts of emergency subsidies range from SR500 to SR5 000 according to student status and a social researcher's opinion.

Regarding the contribution of the Fund to student activities, Dr. Habash commented that the cost of all student activities in the various departments of the university and colleges per year is estimated at SR8 million. These varied between social, cultural, and scientific activities. He added that the Fund pays for weekly trips to Mecca and Medina, resulting in visits to universities, and other scientific centers. The Fund also pays for foreign trips for those students who participate in activities, such as Scouts, which was recently held in Switzerland.

He also revealed the intention of the university to share scientific trips and expeditions in the Kingdom of Morocco, and the Kingdom of Spain. He also pointed out that student researchers, who participate in scientific conferences, are funded too. Full expenses are covered, free training courses are provided, and competitions and many sports are arranged.

Habash noted that the percentage of beneficiaries of the Fund with regard to marriage reached 100%, while the value of the marriage subsidy reached 3000 SR. He confirmed that the criteria for payment to married students doesn't not take financial status into account.

Regarding student motivation to borrow and benefit from the Fund, Al Habash said, "There is no pressing demand for loans due to the presence of the un-refunded subsidy. The Deanship is currently studying linking student rewards to the Fund to provide this service in coordination with the Deanship of Admission and Registration and the bank, which pays for the student rewards in order to guarantee the deduction of student rewards."

It is worth mentioning that the programs of the Fund include a self-operation program, and student participation in foreign and domestic conferences, in addition to housing children of needy families in domestic housing at the expense of the Fund and contributing to the reduction of the price of meals provided to students at the university cafeteria. The student pays a nominal amount and the Fund makes up the difference in the cost of meals.