Federal member for Page Kevin Hogan is reminding students from Page who receive Youth Allowance or ABSTUDY that Relocation Scholarships worth more than $4000 are now available.
Mr Hogan said Relocation Scholarships supported eligible students who move from a regional area to a city for study.
“We also know the benefits university educated students can bring back to regional communities,” he said.
“As a regional community we are facing a number of key skills shortages which means we need as many regional students studying at university as possible so they can bring those skills back to our community.”
“Students from communities across the Northern Rivers and Clarence Valley face higher costs to study away from home, which causes significant financial stress for their families.
“To help with this financial burden the Government is providing Relocation Scholarships which go some way to helping students and families with this cost burden.”
Mr Hogan said the scholarships provided $4269 to eligible students in the first year of study, $2135 in the second and third years, and $1067 in subsequent years.
“This payment helps students pay significant upfront costs such as bond for rental or student accommodation, books, computers, travel, removalist fees or new furniture,” he said.
Mr Hogan said the payments had already started to flow to students who were claiming Youth Allowance or ABSTUDY from last Saturday, 21 February.
He said it was important that students kept their family home address and education campus details up-to-date so they would receive the assistance automatically.
Mr Hogan said students and families could find further information on Relocation Scholarships at www.humanservices.gov.au/students or by visiting Centrelink.
“If there are any students who believe they are eligible for this support but are yet to receive the payment then I would strongly encourage them to contact Centrelink and seek further information,” he said.
