Almost 60% of rural and regional students who undertake education after school are required to move away from home.
They have to find ways to manage travel and relocation costs, and ever rising living expenses, with many choosing to find ways to do this independently.
However by far, the most burdensome cost they face is accommodation – and this is a very real barrier to pursuing education.
Fortunately, many great student accommodation providers are aware of this and support regional youth by making living more affordable and accessible.
We are now excited to offer a suite of accommodation scholarships to CEF students through the national CEF Extra program.
These scholarships apply part-fee relief for accommodation at some of the best university campuses. This means students can attend university and be part of the college lifestyle many students say helps to build new support networks and create lifelong friendships.
To be eligible, CEF students need to have applied and been accepted for a place at the institution AND apply directly with their CEF local foundation.
Along with long-term partner St Andrew’s College, Dunmore Lang College is of the first to recognise the financial strain accommodation causes for our regional youth and take action by offering accommodation support through CEF.
The International College of Management, Sydney (ICMS) has partnered with CEF in the past, however this is the first year we are working together to a offer a part-accommodation and part-tuition scholarship to one lucky student.
We look forward to continued partnerships with these fantastic organisations, and are excited to be growing and developing new ways we can support our rural and regional youth and their education.
JORDAN PHELAN AND JENNIFER DWYER ARE TWO OF OUR SUCCESSFUL ACCOMMODATION SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS FOR 2022.
We took the opportunity to find out a little more about them, and what this help means to them as they work toward achieving their education goals.
JORDAN PHELAN, DUNMORE LANG COLLEGE SCHOLAR 2022
Harden District Education Foundation
Course:
Bachelor of Professional Accounting/Bachelor of Laws
Institution:
Macquarie University
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF? ARE YOU THE FIRST IN YOUR FAMILY TO ATTEND UNIVERSITY?
I was born in Bulli hospital in 2003 initially living in the small suburb of Russell Vale within the Illawarra region of NSW. My family moved to Harden, NSW where I completed year 6 before moving to Galong where I lived through all my years at high school. I have grown up with both my parents and a younger sibling who left school to undertake an apprenticeship. Both my parents completed apprenticeships making me the first in my family to attend university.
WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY AND YOUR COURSE?
After a captain’s trip in Year 12 last year 2021 I was just drawn to the idea of doing a degree in law, and an opportunity opened up which would allow me to study both law and accountancy which I immediately jumped at. This gives me more adaptability as both degrees would contribute to founding a career in the future.
I loved the idea of Macquarie with its huge campus and relative location to the metro which would allow me an easy way to be able to come home on the odd weekend but also it spacious campus allowing me to feel at ease rather than a largely concrete jungle of a university.
I was just drawn to the look of life at the college. The inclusive nature with people from different backgrounds but also a range of like-minded country kids like myself.
WHAT DOES RECEIVING THE DUNMORE LANG ACCOMMODATION SCHOLARSHIP MEAN TO YOU?
To receive this scholarship is truly an honour as it takes a lot of the pressure off financially and allows me to focus on other costs associated with university. It also allows me to have a bit of breathing room to be able to study permanently without the associated stress of worrying so much about money.
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 10 YEARS?
In ten years, I see myself being a practicing lawyer within the Sydney district possibly undertaking further study either a doctorate or degree in politics so that I may one day turn my hand to politics becoming a politician with a background in law and business. I would also like to undertake some pro bono work for people that are struggling or need help but cannot afford it within regional areas.
“The College has a strong rural and regional student base and is committed to providing opportunities for students from all backgrounds to live in College whilst completing their degrees. This year we have been able to offer a scholarship in partnership with Country Education Foundation to Jordan Phelan and we are excited to welcome him to Dunmore Lang College.”
Liza Allen
Dean of Students
Dunmore Lang College
JENNIFER DWYER, ICMS SCHOLAR 2022
CEF Orange & Districts
Course:
Bachelor of Hospitality Management
Institution:
International College of Management Sydney (ICMS)
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF? ARE YOU THE FIRST IN YOUR FAMILY TO GO TO UNIVERSITY?
My names Jennifer Dwyer, I’m 19 years old and I grew up in Millthorpe NSW. I have 4 siblings and I am the first member of my family to be going to university!
WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE ICMS AND YOUR COURSE?
I will have theory study for my first year of uni and then I will be completing 600 hours of industry placement in my second year. This combined learning is something I feel I will definitely benefit and thrive from to be able to get the most out of my study.
WHAT DOES RECEIVING THE ICMS ACCOMMODATION SCHOLARSHIP MEAN TO YOU?
Receiving the scholarship was a huge deal and it means so much to me! I’m very, very grateful I was selected. It has meant I am able to achieve my dreams and focus on uni study, without worrying about the cost of accommodation each week. Without the scholarship, I was very very stressed about being able to achieve a work/study/life balance and I was concerned about passing my studies and being able to put 110% effort in, as I would be working non stop to be able to afford the cost of living.
I chose ICMS as I am a visual learner and their course structure of including both theory and practical in learning was very appealing to me.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In 10 years I would love to be helping in less fortunate third world countries, such as Fiji, by upskilling their workers in the hospitality industry. I believe this would be such a great opportunity to not only improve the quality of hospitality that guests of resorts will experience, but also to improve the quality of life of the Fijian people and the workers. I believe my time at ICMS and by having the ability to improve my industry experience and knowledge on the subject, I will be able to achieve these goals.
“I am grateful that the growth of ICMS, and its pathway institutions, provide the opportunity to give back and to recognise merit – whether pure effort, talent, or adversity and hardship. Our partnership with CEF is a perfect synergy where we share similar values to support hard working rural students achieve their education and career goals through scholarships.”
Ann Whitelock Courtney – O’Connor
Chairperson ICMS Scholarships
Director – IHEA
Recent Comments