As the holidays approach, many students are feeling the financial pressures of school fees and gift giving.
“Nothing is cheap anymore,” said Brooke Breemersch, a Durham College photography student. “Tuition went up this year, housing is going up, food’s going up, gas is going up.”
Festivities are in full swing but despite the holiday cheer many Durham College students are facing financial stress.
According to a 2025 TD survey, only 11 per cent of students say they are financially stable.
“As a student it can get hard, you know, when you have a budget because obviously you have your personal things and then school comes as well,” said Zainab Sameer, another Photography student.
While some students are working fewer hours because of classes during the week, they have less money to rely on for school fees and gift giving during the holiday season.
Saving for school fees like tuition, textbooks and food means limiting the gifts they give to their loved ones.
Mia Dawkins, also a Photography student, said she’s embarrassed she can’t splurge on gifts like she normally would.
“Since I am a student, paying for next semester and everything, I can’t buy certain things,” Dawkins said.
The TD survey also found that 46 per cent of students are not knowledgeable about budgeting.
Sameer said making gifts could be the answer.
“If you buy something that’s, you know, under your budget, that’s going to be a lot easier and you can make something out of it and that’s just a lot, you know, more special to give to somebody who you really love,” Sameer said.
Fellow Photography student Cailin Gillespie has shifted her approach to gift giving.
“I used to buy multiple things but now it’s kinda just – I just choose something that’s really meaningful,” she said.
Meanwhile, Durham College distributes funds through its annual Food Access Bursary that supports students with the cost of a holiday meal.
Last year, the bursary supported about 1,000 students by distributing almost $166,000.
Entrepreneurship and Small Business students also hosted its Christmas market on Nov. 27. Student-run businesses sold handmade crafts, treats and other gifts at more affordable prices for students shopping.