Improving access to tertiary education
Realising Our Potential also contains measures to increase student access to tertiary education at a total cost of $222 million over four years.
Realising Our Potential includes a number of changes to current income support arrangements to provide greater support to students, including:
- $87 million over four years to extend eligibility for Rent Assistance to Austudy recipients, benefiting around 11,000 students aged 25 and over
- $43 million over four years to extend eligibility for Youth Allowance and Austudy to students undertaking Masters by Coursework qualifications that are a minimum entry requirement to a profession or are part of a restructure of existing course requirements.
The Government will also increase the number of Commonwealth Learning Scholarships from around 8,500 to 12,000 each year, commencing in 2008, costing $91 million over four years.
These scholarships assist talented students from low income backgrounds to attend university through help with living and accommodation costs.
Around 2,000 of these new scholarships will be extended to students studying Associate Degrees.
In future, Commonwealth Learning Scholarships will be offered to students at the same time as they are offered a university place so they can make better informed decisions.
The package Better Future for Indigenous Australians, also contained in the 2007‑08 Budget provides additional support and improved access to school and tertiary education for indigenous students. The Government will provide around $239 million over five years for financial assistance, scholarships, training and employment opportunities for indigenous young people from rural and remote areas, as well as education and job placements in urban and regional centres.
$222 million in funding to increase access to tertiary education
Realising Our Potential 6