Applications are open for the Country Education Foundation (CEF) of Gunnedah.
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The fund assists university and TAFE students who need to leave home to pursue tertiary education.
St Mary’s College teachers Michael Masige and Vicki Isbester are now facilitating the funds and said funds were recently boosted by grants from the Commonwealth Bank and Pacific National.
“We have an understanding of the financial strain of tertiary study are keen to support the young people of Gunnedah in pursuing their chosen careers,” chair Vicki Isbester said.
“We recognise that the cost of rural students pursuing their post high school goals is often much greater than those of their metropolitan counterparts and that sometimes these costs can be prohibitive.”
CEF supports a diverse range of education and career pursuits including apprenticeships, traineeships, cadetships, degrees, diplomas and certificate level studies or entry careers. The local foundation reimburses the student for a pre-agreed expense or pays the goods and services providers directly.
Gunnedah girl Issy Hunt was a recipient of a grant earlier this year before she headed off to Bathurst to start a Bachelor of Paramedicine with integrated honours at Charles Sturt University.
The former St Mary’s College student said the grant helped her to purchase a “much-needed” paramedic uniform and equipment for her three-year degree.
“It also assisted greatly in paying for regular accommodation as I am a full-time student studying on campus,” she said.
“For a student moving to a completely different town four hours away from my home, relying on on-campus accommodation and the funding for this can seem quite daunting.
“The CEF has been incredible in making the transition a success and achievable. I recommend this scholarship to anyone and everyone attempting to make a similar transition into their future.”
Ms Isbester said CEF fundraises throughout the year and accepts donations from local residents and businesses in order to provide financial grants to students who need an extra helping hand.
“We would like to invite any other businesses who would like to make a contribution to contact us,” Ms Isbester said.
Grants are available to local youth who have lived and/or attended school in the region for the majority of their high school years. The four essential selection criteria for the applicant are demonstrating financial need; aged 16-25 years; attended school or currently reside in the region covered by CEF Gunnedah; and shown commitment to achieving goals.
Grant applications are open until December 31, with short-listed applicants to be invited for an interview with their local committee. To apply online, visit https://cef.org.au/
