Country Education Foundation of Far West NSW

Supporting students who lived or went to school in the postcode of 2880.
 

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Byron Hooker

If urgent, please call national office on (02) 6362 3162.

Open: 1st August
Close: 31st October

Country Education Foundation of Far West NSW was established to provide financial assistance and support to local youth to help them achieve their post-high school education, training and vocation aspirations.

We recognise that the cost of regional students pursuing further education and training is often much higher than their metropolitan counterparts and that sometimes, these costs can be prohibitive.

With this in mind, CEF Far West NSW  fundraises throughout the year to provide financial grants to celebrate the aspirations of our local youth and help them achieve their goals.

Country Education Foundation of Far West NSW was established to provide financial assistance and support to local youth to help them achieve their post-high school education, training and vocation aspirations.

We recognise that the cost of regional students pursuing further education and training is often much higher than their metropolitan counterparts and that sometimes, these costs can be prohibitive.

With this in mind, CEF Far West NSW fundraises throughout the year to provide financial grants to celebrate the aspirations of our local youth and help them achieve their goals.

Byron Hooker

If urgent, please call national office on (02) 6362 3162.

Open: 1st August
Close: 31st October

Our impact

since 2019

57

Students Supported

$60,600

In Financial Support

Our local grants

Local grants are provided to enable rural and regional youth to continue their education and training post high school, whether that’s university study, a trade, a diploma or certificate, or an apprenticeship.

Local grant funds are given as reimbursements to cover educational expenses like textbooks, travel, laptops, accommodation, tools, uniforms and other study related costs.

Who is eligible?

To be eligible for a grant from CEF Far West NSW you:

• Are aged between 16-25;
• Live or went to school in the Far West NSW footprint;
• Can demonstrate need; and,
• Show commitment to achieving your goal.

After applications close, the committee will review all applications.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview, with grants allocations based on the application and interview.

The CEF Extra Program provides additional scholarships funded by generous donors, corporate and philanthropic partners.

When you receive a local grant, you may be nominated for a CEF Extra scholarship.

Student FAQs

Which postcodes meet the eligibility criteria?

If you lived or attended school in 2880, you are eligible to apply for a grant from CEF Far West NSW.

What local schools are covered by the foundation?

Our local area schools

Broken Hill High School
Willyama High School

Is there an age criteria?

You must be between the ages of 16 and 25.

Your obligations

When you receive a CEF grant, you agree to the following obligations:

Mid and End of Year Progress Reports

As part of receiving a grant, you will need to report to CEF Far West NSW and the CEF national office every six months on how you are progressing, how the grant has assisted you and provide your marks/grades for the semester if applicable. You will receive an email asking you to fill out an online form for mid-year and end-of-year progress reports.

How do I claim funds?

We do not provide cash grants directly to grant recipients. CEF Far West NSW reimburses you for a pre-agreed expense or pays for the goods and services directly to the provider.

You cannot be reimbursed for more funds or spend more money than you have been allocated in any financial year.

Please contact our Treasurer if you have questions about claiming funds.
Send us an email

I want to change courses or defer...what do I do?

Please contact us by email if you want to change courses or need to defer your studies.

I need help - who do I contact?

For general questions about applying for a grant, or about CEF Far West NSW, please send us an email.

CEF Connect Program

When you receive a CEF scholarship or grant, you automatically become a member of the CEF family.

Membership is free and opens up a range of benefits from mentoring and networking opportunities to speaker events.

See more about the CEF Connect Program here.

Can I apply again next year?

Our CEF Far West NSW Team

Country Education Foundation of Far West NSW is run by a committee of enthusiastic local volunteers. If you would like to get involved, volunteer or donate, please reach out to us.

Our CEF Far West NSW Supporters

Our work in Far West NSW is made possible thanks to the support of generous individuals, local businesses and groups.
They help us continue our work to support local students.

 

Our local scholarships

Thanks to the support of local donors, we also offer the following scholarships.

Country Education Foundation of Australia (CEF), in partnership with the McLean Foundation, Eureka Benevolent Foundation and Zagora Foundation offer three scholarships each year to help Far West students achieve their university and career goals.
The scholarships are available to first year, undergraduate university students and are administered through CEF national office. Should you have any questions about these scholarships please contact CEF national office on (02) 6362 3162.

Three $30,000 scholarships are available – $10,000 per year for the first three years of a university degree. These scholarships are only available to students who are attending Broken Hill High School, Willyama High School, Wilcannia Central School or Menindee Central School, will be studying an undergraduate university degree and are eligible for a local grant.
The scholarships are non-cash; recipients will be reimbursed for education related expenses or a supplier can be paid directly. It can be used to cover any reasonable education-related expense such as text books, petrol, transport, accommodation, computer equipment and internet access.
Please note, scholarships are not available for the payment of HECS fees.

What our CEF Far West NSW students & volunteers say

"The support from CEF has been incredibly helpful in easing the financial pressure of moving away from home and starting university.
I used the funds to help cover my accommodation costs, which made a huge difference. Having secure accommodation has allowed me to settle into my new environment without the constant stress or worry about how I’d afford rent.

I’m truly grateful for the support. It’s played a key
role in helping me stay on track and pursue my goals.
Now, I see my potential more clearly."
Grace
Bachelor of Arts | University of Melbourne
"The support from CEF has been incredibly helpful in easing the financial pressure of moving away from home and starting university.
I used the funds to help cover my accommodation costs, which made a huge difference. Having secure accommodation has allowed me to settle into my new environment without the constant stress or worry about how I’d afford rent.

I’m truly grateful for the support. It’s played a key
role in helping me stay on track and pursue my goals.
Now, I see my potential more clearly."
Grace
Bachelor of Arts | University of Melbourne

CEF Far West NSW News

CEF Student StoriesStudentsAlumniGrantsScholarships

CEF Student Stories

Our impact in their words. Watch and learn how CEF makes a difference in the lives of young people from rural and regional Australia. Donate now so you can make a difference too.
May 2, 2025 Read More
2024 Findex Community Fund - CEF Scholarship recipient, Caitlyn Coutts-Smith, from CEF Namoi.
Findex Scholarships help CEF students get down to businessNewsStudentsPartnersScholarshipsSupporters

Findex Scholarships help CEF students get down to business

Country Education Foundation of Australia (CEF) and Findex Community Fund are excited to announce its 2024 CEF–Findex Community Fund scholarship recipients, a highly sought after scholarship that will support six students studying in finance and business related fields. Sophie Yabsley…
July 31, 2024 Read More
Country Education Foundation of Australia's 2024 McLean Foundation scholarship recipient, Jada Hogg of Menindee, Far West NSW, who is studying Nursing at the University of Wollongong.
How CEF is helping Jada Hogg fulfill her dreamsNewsStudentsPartnersScholarshipsSupporters

How CEF is helping Jada Hogg fulfill her dreams

Country Education Foundation of Australia's 2024 McLean Foundation scholarship recipient, Jada Hogg of Menindee, Far West NSW, who is studying Nursing at the University of Wollongong. Menindee is a small town in far west New South Wales, with a population…
June 12, 2024 Read More
Broken Hill Scholarship recipient Cooper at university in Bathurst
Cooper is on a Mission to Make A DifferenceNewsScholarships

Cooper is on a Mission to Make A Difference

As soon as he was notified of receiving a scholarship, Cooper made contact with us to find out how he could promote CEF and advocate for teaching in regional areas.  Speaking with him, he is intelligent, friendly and enthusiastic -…
March 2, 2023 Read More
COVID-19: how it affected our rural students, in their wordsNewsGrantsPartners

COVID-19: how it affected our rural students, in their words

Moving back home. Social distancing. Part-time jobs lost. For our students, a lot has changed since COVID-19 hit. We spoke to three students about how the outbreak has impacted their lives and how they are managing. CEF Grenfell grant recipient…
June 3, 2020 Read More
Abir returns home to Alice sprinds to study his Bachelor of Science remotely
Studying remotely no barrier to Abir’s dreamNewsStudentsGrantsScholarships

Studying remotely no barrier to Abir’s dream

In his first year of a Bachelor of Science at The University of Melbourne, with a focus on genetics, Abir Srivastava should be residing at St Hilda’s College. Like students around the globe, he’s back home due to the COVID-19…
May 7, 2020 Read More

CEF Far West NSW News

CEF Student StoriesStudentsAlumniGrantsScholarships

CEF Student Stories

Our impact in their words. Watch and learn how CEF makes a difference in the lives of young people from rural and regional Australia. Donate now so you can make a difference too.
May 2, 2025 Read More
2024 Findex Community Fund - CEF Scholarship recipient, Caitlyn Coutts-Smith, from CEF Namoi.
Findex Scholarships help CEF students get down to businessNewsStudentsPartnersScholarshipsSupporters

Findex Scholarships help CEF students get down to business

Country Education Foundation of Australia (CEF) and Findex Community Fund are excited to announce its 2024 CEF–Findex Community Fund scholarship recipients, a highly sought after scholarship that will support six students studying in finance and business related fields. Sophie Yabsley…
July 31, 2024 Read More
Country Education Foundation of Australia's 2024 McLean Foundation scholarship recipient, Jada Hogg of Menindee, Far West NSW, who is studying Nursing at the University of Wollongong.
How CEF is helping Jada Hogg fulfill her dreamsNewsStudentsPartnersScholarshipsSupporters

How CEF is helping Jada Hogg fulfill her dreams

Country Education Foundation of Australia's 2024 McLean Foundation scholarship recipient, Jada Hogg of Menindee, Far West NSW, who is studying Nursing at the University of Wollongong. Menindee is a small town in far west New South Wales, with a population…
June 12, 2024 Read More
Broken Hill Scholarship recipient Cooper at university in Bathurst
Cooper is on a Mission to Make A DifferenceNewsScholarships

Cooper is on a Mission to Make A Difference

As soon as he was notified of receiving a scholarship, Cooper made contact with us to find out how he could promote CEF and advocate for teaching in regional areas.  Speaking with him, he is intelligent, friendly and enthusiastic -…
March 2, 2023 Read More
COVID-19: how it affected our rural students, in their wordsNewsGrantsPartners

COVID-19: how it affected our rural students, in their words

Moving back home. Social distancing. Part-time jobs lost. For our students, a lot has changed since COVID-19 hit. We spoke to three students about how the outbreak has impacted their lives and how they are managing. CEF Grenfell grant recipient…
June 3, 2020 Read More
Abir returns home to Alice sprinds to study his Bachelor of Science remotely
Studying remotely no barrier to Abir’s dreamNewsStudentsGrantsScholarships

Studying remotely no barrier to Abir’s dream

In his first year of a Bachelor of Science at The University of Melbourne, with a focus on genetics, Abir Srivastava should be residing at St Hilda’s College. Like students around the globe, he’s back home due to the COVID-19…
May 7, 2020 Read More