A new report from a student body says some students are struggling to keep their heads above water in the cost-of-living crisis.
The NUS-USI, which represents all university and college students in NI, released its "Cost of Survival" report on Monday.
It highlights how food, rent and transport costs are leaving students stretched with their studies as some can't afford to balance the three competing factors and attend their classes.
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Chloe Ferguson, the NUS-USI President, told Belfast Live that the situation had reached an unsustainable point.
"We're seeing students having to make really hard decisions in between putting food on the table or getting to class," she said.
"That is a decision, for someone who has put themselves into education and taken that chance on themselves, that they should never have to make.
"Universities and colleges across Northern Ireland can always be doing more to help their students, but this isn't just about them."
Chloe said the answer lay with getting an approach that recognised the situation facing students and treated it with the right degree of seriousness.
"This is about going to the top, this is about going to the Secretary of State, it's about going to Westminster, and getting them to help with funding to create local asks," she said.
"For example, the likes of St Mary's here in Belfast today, they really struggle to bring students from the Holyland, to West Belfast and it's local asks like that that would really help students on the ground with their cost-of-living.
"This stark reality has seen many students unable to heat or eat; unable to pay rent; unable to afford the transport costs to get them to their university or college; and increasingly, unable to continue with their studies."
Two first-year students at Queen's said they were feeling the pinch with rising costs and questioned how students were meant to continue.
"I know I'm working full time at the weekends and trying to make enough money to pay rent, never mind actually affording to live up in Belfast," said Danielle Murphy.
"A lot of people are having to resort to their parents or taking out extra loans and I think our standard of living has got quite low.
"Then to find out that the rent's going up again next year, and maintenance grants don't go up in accordance with it, I just don't know.
"My sister's the year below me and I don't know how she's going to afford university."
Ellen Lundy said the rising prices of food, transport and rent had left her feeling quite "hopeless".
"Because you're like, where is the light at the end of the tunnel in all this?," she said.
"Everything's just constantly getting harder and you can't see a point where it gets easier again, it makes uni quite stressful.
"It puts extra stress on your studies and things like that because you're working so hard at the weekend just to try and get some money together."
Queen's University Belfast did grant its students £150 payments as recognition of the cost-of-living crisis its students were living through.
Emma Murphy, the Queen's Students Union President welcomed that but said more could be done.
"The (NUS-USI) report details how this should be opened up to all students in Northern Ireland, not just at Queen's," she said.
"Even for most students, it was only £150 so it's just that drop in the ocean of what the full p[package of support should be.
"But we've been able to do the likes of the pantry downstairs which is offering students free dried foods, spices, household items as well which has been getting really, really good feedback from students."
A spokesperson for Queen's University Belfast acknowledged the pressures facing students in the current economic climate and said it had put in place a package of measures to support students.
"A £7.9m funding package supported the distribution of £150 to each student and £400 to those from low-income households at the end of January," the spokesperson added.
"We have provided a range of free breakfasts and are currently operating a pop-up pantry in One Elmwood supplying essential foodstuffs free of charge to help students put together nutritional meals.
"There has been a continued freeze in the price of a standard room in our accommodation for the fifth consecutive year and for next year the University will also introduce a bursary fund to provide all students from low income background between £750 and £1,250 per year towards their accommodation costs in University owned accommodation.
"We have also extended our library opening hours so that it is available to students can access a warm, safe and secure study environment 24 hours a day.
"The University will continue to engage with students and consider ways to provide practical support to our students to alleviate pressures."
Jessica Craig is the Student President at Belfast Metropolitan College and said that some students felt priced out of attending their classes, particularly those commuting.
"I know from talking to students myself, I know a lot of people that ahve just dropped out, because they just can't afford to study anymore," she added.
"They can't afford the transport, the accommodation and they've had no choice but to drop out, which is just really sad to see.
"These are people, especially further education, you've got a lot of people coming back to study and try and make things work, maybe they just want a different career path and they just don't get the chance because they can't afford it."
Translink has said it had no choice but to increase its fares by 7% due to its own rising costs, but said it was doig whta it could to help young people.
"We recognise the need to support the many young people who have been particularly impacted by the pandemic and cost of living crisis," a spokesperson said.
"yLink card discounts have been increased to 50% off from a third off while maintaining free access to the card for all 16–23-year-olds to help support them at this difficult time.
"This means anyone in this age group can benefit from 50% off the cost of their bus and train tickets right across Northern Ireland."
Head of Learner Success at Belfast Metropolitan College, David McDowell said: "Belfast Met has, like the rest of the sector, rolled out a DfE-funded Winter Warmer campaign since January of this year.
"This has provided students with help and guidance about how to deal with cost of living pressures and provided lunch for those who engaged with the sessions.
"We are presently rolling out phase two of the campaign (clothing & hygiene packs) which, if engagement levels reflect phase one, will serve only to underline the extent to which students are struggling financially.
"It should be noted that these campaigns are being run in conjunction with the financial and wellbeing support already available to Belfast Met students through a range of funding mechanisms and support structures within the College."
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