The organiser of today's Black Friday Youth Rally against the proposed Youth Allowance reform by the Federal Government said the date chosen ? Friday the 13th ? signified the misfortune of students living in rural Australia.

"I wouldn't call it bad luck, more disinterest from those in power in giving rural students the same level of education as those living in the city," Mrs Jennings said.

"The rates of university application and deferral are far higher in this region than they are in Melbourne and the reason for that is mostly the financial pressure families face in sending their children to university. These reforms make that pressure even greater."

Warrnambool College student Hannah McDonald, who intends to study nursing/paramedicine at Ballarat , said she would take a gap year off to save enough money to live independently.

Hannah, 17, and fellow student Dylan Stephenson, 18, will lead today's rally on the Civic Green.

Mrs Jennings said both major political parties were to blame over creating a city-country divide in educational opportunities.

"While Deakin in Warrnambool offers a number of subjects locally, there are some courses you have to go to Melbourne for to train people for professions we need here in the south-west."

She said many students had "thrown their hands in the air" because two years between school and university was "too long".