Salient. Victoria University Students Newspaper. Vol. 38, No. 4, 1975
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The form that has to be filled out by students applying for the new hardship provisions on top of the Boarding Bursary is the same as that normally filled in by hardship cases (which are outlined on page 20 of Handbook). Above is the 'means test' form sent to parents of applicants - a particularly objectionable document. However, if you are in financial difficulties (and from VUWSA estimates this means anyone trying to board away from home with less than $1150 coming in from all sources) please do see either the Liaison Officers or the University bursaries section.
Salient's analysis of the Government's hardship allowance for students shows that the whole thing is a complete and utter farce.
The Government has refused to meet its obligations to students. It expects unmarried students' parents and even brothers and sisters to support students who are hard up before the state will accept any responsibility.
While the Labour Government is happy to sit by idly and watch giant companies like Watties get another price hike, it is making students and other low income groups pay for the economic crisis.
The Minister of Education has said that students have to tighten their belts. That is exactly the same massage that the Government has been giving working people for months. The Labour Government is teaching students the hard way just how far it has abandoned its professed policy of educational opportunities for all.
Salient urges all students facing financial hardship to apply for the hardship allowance. Don't be put off by the restrictive conditions attached to the allowance.
If hundreds of students apply for the hardship allowance it will show the Government that it has to take realistic measures to assist students. Make sure you get your application in today or tomorrow to the university Liaison Officer who will give you application forms. If you face difficulties in getting your application in by Thursday get in touch with the Liaison Officer or the Students' Association. They will assist you in making sure that your application is not ignored.
Attend the protest forum at 12 o'clock today. Join the march on Parliament. Show the Government it can't get away with ignoring students' difficulties any longer.