Russian Legislative Council Proposes Legalizing "Student Family" Status
Rewritten Article:
** tomsk, APR 22 - RIA TOMSK**
A commission of the State Duma's Science and Education Committee, led by Tomsk region Duma speaker Oksana Kozylovskaya, has proposed supporting a federal bill on youth policy regarding the recognition of "student families," as reported by the press service of the oblast Duma on Tuesday.
One of the questions discussed during the April meeting of the Commission was the experience of supporting student families in the regions. The relevance of the topic is driven by the "Family" national project's objective and the goal of increasing the total fertility rate to 1.6 by 2030 (as of January 1, 2025, the nationwide rate is 1.39).
The Commission emphasized the importance of the enactment of the "Federal Law 'On Amendments to the Federal Law 'On Youth Policy in the Russian Federation'," which would recognize "student families" as a separate category of young families. According to the statement, several regions have proposed developing a program of preferential mortgage loans for student families without initial down payments and minimum interest rates, as well as a program similar to the "Pushkin Card" to allow student families, with significant discounts, to visit cinemas, theaters, and museums. These proposals have been directed towards the Youth Policy Committee.
The Announcement highlights that during the April meeting of the Commission of the State Duma's Science and Education Committee, the experiences of regions were presented for creating a favorable environment for student families.
For instance, in Perm Krai, the Republic of Kalmykia, Vladimir Oblast, Ivanov Oblast, Tambov Oblast, Samara Oblast, and Sakhalin Oblast, student families are provided with dormitory housing. Sometimes, with the presentation of a marriage certificate, even in the same dormitory for parents-students from different universities.
In Perm Krai, the Republic of Kalmykia, Vladimir Oblast, Irkutsk Oblast, Kemerovo Oblast, Sakhalin Oblast, and Tambov Oblast, student families receive free psychological and legal assistance. In Tomsk Oblast and other regions, starting from 2025, a child born in a student family will receive a financial assistance of RUB 100,000 upon birth.
Enrichment Data: Russia's federal law seeking to prioritize dormitory housing for married students is under consideration, with the Youth Policy Committee submitting the bill to the State Duma on April 24, 2025[1]. The bill aims to establish a uniform policy for student family housing across regions, addressing the difficulties faced by 60% of marriage-interested students who currently lack family accommodations[1]. The bill lacks specific details for regional implementation but would supersede university-level housing policies, mandating federal support for family housing access[1]. In addition, the bill emphasizes infrastructure upgrades such as nurseries and mother-child rooms at universities as complementary requirements[1]. No other regions appear to be proposing specific student housing programs, suggesting the federal law is the primary effort to address family housing issues.
- Enacting the "Federal Law 'On Amendments to the Federal Law 'On Youth Policy in the Russian Federation'" is crucial for recognizing "student families" as a distinct category of young families in the Kemerovo Oblast's policy and legislation.
- The proposed federal bill, set for consideration in 2025, aims to prioritize dormitory housing for married students, benefitting those in regions like Kemerovo Oblast as part of a strong education-and-self-development policy.
- The strong education-and-self-development policy for 2025 in the Kemerovo Oblast includes a provision that grants financial assistance of RUB 100,000 to a child born in a student family, contributing to their general news and welfare.
- In the Kemerovo Oblast's politics, the emphasis on education and self-development extends beyond academic excellence by providing free psychological and legal assistance to student families, demonstrating a strong commitment to their well-being and future.
