In collaboration with the University of New South Wales (UNSW), the Country Education Foundation of Australia (CEF) has made it possible for two aspiring Broken Hill university students to take a fully subsidised trip to visit the UNSW campus as part of its Year 11 Regional Residential Program.
Jane Thompson of Broken Hill High School and Amber Powell of Willyama High School were among the 37 students who took advantage of this opportunity.
Chaperoned by UNSW staff and ambassadors, along with two CEF staff, the program covered the students’ transport costs, accommodation, and meals while they learned about UNSW, the courses it offers, and all other benefits of studying there.
Students also enjoyed a two-night stay at Coogee Beach’s Crowne Plaza Hotel and attended a special dinner on the first night where they heard from CEF alumni currently studying at UNSW.
UNSW Director of Access, Equity & Inclusion, Mary Teague, said the aim of the program is to build a connection to UNSW and foster confidence in regional students contemplating relocating to Sydney for their future university studies.
“Current UNSW student Ambassadors who are employed across our program are all students from regional areas who act as powerful role models by sharing their insights and experiences to motivate and support students as they navigate the prospect of attending a metro-based university,” she said.
“We look forward to continuing our purposeful partnership with the Country Education Foundation in supporting access and success for students from regional areas at UNSW,” Ms Teague added.
As part of its partnership with the CEF, UNSW also provides four annual $5,000 scholarships for each year of study, up to a maximum of four years, to students who have enrolled at UNSW and previously received a grant from their local CEF foundation.
Students residing in or attending schools in one of the 45 foundation locations across Australia are eligible to apply for grant and scholarship funding, which they can use for various education-related expenses, such as accommodation and equipment.
Students granted funding by their local foundation are also considered for additional funding through the CEF of Australia’s national ‘CEF Extra’ program, which collaborates with university and philanthropic partners to offer scholarships where students meet the scholarship’s eligibility criteria.
Since its inception in 1993, the CEF has awarded nearly 8,000 individual grants and scholarships, totalling over $17 million, with more than 400 volunteers across its network of local foundations working diligently to provide local students the support they need.
For more information on the CEF, visit www.cef.org.au or phone 1300 652 144.
