The Implication of Cost Sharing Policy Implementation for Students’ Life at the University of Dodoma, Tanzania.

The study explored the implication of cost sharing policy implementation for students’ lives at the University of Dodoma, Tanzania. It sought to address three research objectives; to examine the challenges facing students as a result of cost sharing policy implementation, to analyze strategies used by students to cope up with the challenges of cost sharing policy and to evaluate the effects of cost sharing policy implementation on students’ lives. The study employed purposive and simple random sampling to get 100 respondents from students and members of staff of the University of Dodoma. Data collected were coded and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 for quantitative data and thematic approach for qualitative data. The study employed a case study research design. The instruments for collecting data were questionnaires, interview, and documentary review. The findings of the study have revealed that poor living conditions, lack of fund, late registration and failure to be accommodated on time, poor learning environment and poor accommodation facilities were the implication of education cost sharing policy implementation on students’ lives at the University of Dodoma. Also, the findings of the study showed that students adopt various coping strategies which include; minimizing expenditures on meals and accommodation allowances, full time self-employment, working as part timers, subletting, cooking in the halls of residence and borrowing money from other students. From the findings the study concluded that students from lower income families, who constitute majority at the University of Dodoma, are the most affected. The study therefore recommended that, education cost sharing policy should be reviewed. Keywords: Cost Sharing, Direct Costs, Means Testing and Higher Education