Blatant Age Discrimination Outrageous

Blatant Age Discrimination Outrageous

Today's Budget announcement that excludes 55 year old students from being allowed to borrow living and study costs has angered many students.

This change will mean that many people 55 and over will now not be able to afford tertiary study. Many of these people will have lost their jobs in the recession or Christchurch earthquake and desperately need to retrain to get a new job.

"I thought discrimination was illegal. How can the government even do this?" asks OPSA president, Michelle Fidow.

"Every Kiwi adult should be entitled to a student loan when the need it totally irrespective of their age" said Ms Fidow.

"That an adult in New Zealand cannot be entitled to a student loan simply because of their age is outrageous" said Ms Fidow.

"To deny access to tertiary education to people who have paid tax to the government for around 40 years is past unthinkable" said Ms Fidow.

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