Students still waiting for allowance

There is plenty of evidence to show students are struggling. Government statistics released at the end of last year show that almost 20 per cent of first-year students drop out of study by the end of the year. Past reports on student finances by Universities Australia, the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations and the National Union of Students suggest one of the reasons for the drop-out rates is student financial hardship.

The reports also show how students are becoming increasingly disengaged from their studies and campus life because of the number of hours they have to work to support themselves through university.

Now there is the ridiculous situation where students are about to begin the academic year but still don't know if they qualify for government support under Youth Allowance.

Last November, the Coalition and Family First senator Steve Fielding blocked the government's proposed changes to Youth Allowance, saying it disadvantaged regional students.