The Coalition last year blocked government scholarships to about 150,000 students. There is now a plea from Universities to senators urging these changes to be passed.

Uni plea to senators to pass youth allowance bill
The Age, February 23, 2010

"The leaders of Australia's universities have written to senators urging them to pass the federal government's controversial changes to the youth allowance.

The letter, signed by 39 vice-chancellors, was sent to all 76 senators yesterday as part of a late push before the bill returns to the Senate tomorrow.

Family First senator Steve Fielding last year combined with the Coalition to block the changes. Until the changes pass, the government cannot pay new scholarships to about 150,000 students.

The $1434 start-up scholarship (which will rise to $2254 next year) and relocation scholarships, worth $4000 in the first year and $1000 for each subsequent year, were intended to replace other Commonwealth scholarships that were abolished last year.

Labor's proposals seek to give help to students from low and middle-income families and away from people, in some cases from wealthy families, who qualify by earning a set amount of money over 18 months.

But some people, particularly in regional areas, say they will be worse off under the changes...."

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