CURRENT gap year student 19-year-old Matt Dawkins had his tertiary education all planned out.
After a discussion with his family, his university savings were used for a much-needed trip to the UK to catch up with family members.
Matt said he didn't worry at the time, since he figured he'd be able to work during his gap year, save for his education and achieve the independent status required for him to receive Youth Allowance.
However, the Federal Government's changes to Youth Allowance eligibility criteria have completely thrown Matt's plans into chaos - to the point where he is now doubtful if he'll be able to attend university at all.
"It's now basically impossible for me to go to uni,'' Matt said.
"I now work at East Sale RAAF Base in hospitality.
"I would be earning just enough a week to receive Youth Allowance when my study would have begun in 2010.
"Now, with this new system, all the work I've done is worthless.''
Under the new changes, to achieve independent status students will need to work a minimum of 30 hours a week for 18 months.
Matt is just one of many regional students who have been adversely affected by the changes in criteria.
"One of my close friends worked on the summer crew with DSE over the last summer holidays in one of the worst fire seasons we've had." he said.
"He is deferring from a course which he was also excited about.
"Because this fire season went for so long and he worked overtime, he earned the $18,500 needed in almost four months, so he was set.
"Now, that means nothing.
"His course won't let him defer next year so he cannot prove himself independent and receive the support he and his family need.''
According to Matt, his parental income level was just over the cut-off point for receiving Youth Allowance.
"We're not well off though,'' he said.
"We still have a huge mortgage, and my parents are putting my brother through high school.
"I just finished year 12, and now I want to go to uni.''
As part of an ongoing campaign to combat the changes to Youth Allowance, Gippsland MHR Darren Chester has thrown his support behind Matt.
"At the end of the day, it's the country students that lose out in this,'' Mr Chester said.
However, Mr Chester is optimistic that current gap year students will be protected through amendments to the changes.
"I've spoken to several MPs from regional areas, and they've been overwhelmed with angry phone calls,'' he said.
"I've also had three Labor backbenchers stop me in Parliament and tell me to keep the fight up.''
Also of concern to Mr Chester were job shortages - particularly for young, unskilled workers.
"The ridiculous thing with the new independence criteria is requiring students to work 30 hours per week for 18 months, when those jobs just aren't available.
"Most students coming out of year 12 are heading into a really competitive market against skilled workers, and a lot of universities won't allow students to defer for two years.
"It will now become easier for students to stick with what they know.
"They may have the capacity to become a doctor, but they simply won't have the financial means to do so.''
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