FED:Regional students to receive more funding

AAP General News (Australia)
12-31-2011
FED:Regional students to receive more funding

Around 5500 tertiary students are set to benefit from less stringent criteria in order
to receive the independent youth allowance.

From tomorrow students from inner regional areas across Australia will be able to access
the independent youth allowance the same way students in outer regional and remote areas
can.

Education minister CHRIS EVANS says this means students from Mount Gambier, Mackay
and Bunbury will be treated the same as students from Port Lincoln, Townsville and Kalgoorlie.

As well, the youth allowance age of independence will be reduced from 23 to 22.

The value of relocation scholarships would also rise, to help meet costs associated
with studying away from home.

The value of the scholarships will now be $4000 in the first year of study, $2000 in
the second, and $1000 in subsequent years.

AAP RTV bc/ar

KEYWORD: ALLOWANCE (CANBERRA)

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