The MTA will hold off on a vote to eliminate free student MetroCards at its board meeting later this month, officials said yesterday.

The announcement came after a group of students** met with the MTA’s top official.

Students said they were furious over the agency’s cost-cutting plan.

The MTA has until September to vote on eliminating the program.

“Our education cannot be put on hold because of budget issues,” said Valerie Bynaar, 14, a student at A. Philip Randolph HS in Harlem.

The transit agency said it has to cut the program because costs have increased over decades, while the state has cut funding and the city didn’t increase its contribution.

MTA chief Jay Walder said it was his hope that “students can make a decision about what school they would like to attend without them worrying about how they will get there.”

He has said in the past that financing the free student rides must be done with appropriate state and city funds.

“The MTA is in a position where we can no longer cover free student fares,” Walder said.

**Members of the Urban Youth Collaborative, led by youth from Make the Road New York.