Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, said more than 150,000 students would start to receive new Federal Government scholarships to help families meet the cost of sending their children to university. All students on Youth Allowance who do not already receive an existing commonwealth scholarship will receive $1,300 this year, paid in two instalments of $650.

Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, continued to negotiate with Senators to attempt to secure the passage of the Youth Allowance bill so 150 000 students gain certainly and can benefit from new scholarships in 2010. Ms Gillard said the Government has offered to set up a Rural Tertiary Hardship Fund worth 20 million dollars to help prevent the barriers to rural and regional students attending university. DEEWR Media release, 1 December 2009

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