The federal government has proposed a number of changes to its higher education policy including an increase to student fees by 1.8 per cent from 2018. Under the proposal fees would continue to rise to a total of 7.5 per cent by 2021.

Ms Nicholson and her friend Kerryn McCauley are volunteers of the Future Moves program which aims to inspire school students and young people from regional and rural areas to attend university.

The women believe the proposed changes to fees will be a set back for people who are considering attending university. 

“The city wasn’t an option for a lot of the people we seek to help but now universities in their area may not be an option either,” she said. 

Ms Nicholson said the fee hike will only increase the gap between those who are disadvantaged in the community compared to those who are from affluent backgrounds. 

CSU vice chancellor Andrew Vann echoed Ms Nicholson’s concern the policy proposals made by Minister for Education and Training Simon Birmingham will further stress budgets across universities and impact disadvantaged students.

“Charles Sturt University has a particular responsibility to serve rural and regional students, including first-in-family and Indigenous cohorts,” Professor Vann said.

“We are concerned that these efficiency dividend cuts will stress resources vital to our mission of extending a university education to Australians previously excluded.”

Professor Vann said the university recognised the importance of undertaking budget repair but further squeezing budgets will have a negative impact on its ability to serve the regions. 

However Professor Vann also acknowledged the importance of positive outcomes for CSU and the sector which were outlined in the package. These included the critical role the Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program plays for disadvantaged students.

Nationals Member for Cowper Luke Hartsuyker said higher education reforms will drive better outcomes for both students and taxpayers.

“We’re removing the barriers that many regional and remote students face in high quality education and support through the Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program,” he said.

Mr Hartsuyker also made mention of government support to sub-bachelor courses and its commitment of $24 million for Rural and Regional Enterprise Scholarships to support 1200 regional and remote students.

“There will be no fee deregulation and we’ll ensure Australians who want to study have the opportunity to do so, that universities are properly accountable for their public funding and risks are better shared between taxpayers, students and institutions,” he said.