Country Education Foundation of Paroo

Supporting students who lived or went to school in the postcodes of 4489, 4490, 4491 or 4493.
 

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Trish McKenzie

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

Open: 1st July
Close: 31st October

Country Education Foundation of Paroo 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 Paroo  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 Paroo 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 Paroo fundraises throughout the year to provide financial grants to celebrate the aspirations of our local youth and help them achieve their goals.

Trish McKenzie

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

Open: 1st July
Close: 31st October

Our impact

since 2006

50

Students Supported

$108,050

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 Paroo you:

• Are aged between 16-25;
• Live or went to school in the Paroo 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 4489, 4490, 4491 or 4493, you are eligible to apply for a grant from CEF Paroo.

What local schools are covered by the foundation?

Our local area schools

Cunnamulla P-12 State 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 Paroo 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 Paroo 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 Paroo, 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 Paroo Team

Country Education Foundation of Paroo 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 Paroo Supporters

Our work in Paroo 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.

What our CEF Paroo students & volunteers say

The CEF grant was a lifesaver because it meant I could upgrade my technology and easily login to my online courses, have enough space to save my subjects and assignments and spend all my time at my desk learning rather than fiddling around with hard drives and modems. I only had the grant for a couple of years because I signed up towards the end of my studies. But it gave me the motivation and accountability I needed to keep going.
Sam
Bachelor of Primary Education | University of Southern Queensland
The CEF grant was a lifesaver because it meant I could upgrade my technology and easily login to my online courses, have enough space to save my subjects and assignments and spend all my time at my desk learning rather than fiddling around with hard drives and modems. I only had the grant for a couple of years because I signed up towards the end of my studies. But it gave me the motivation and accountability I needed to keep going.
Sam
Bachelor of Primary Education | University of Southern Queensland

CEF Paroo News

Riley Menzel Zaps Study Costs with VERTO ScholarshipNewsStudentsGrantsCommittee NewsPartnersScholarships

Riley Menzel Zaps Study Costs with VERTO Scholarship

Country Education Foundation of Australia (CEF) and VERTO are excited to announce six scholarship recipients undertaking an apprenticeship, traineeship or vocational education. The six 2023 VERTO – CEF Scholarships are awarded to: Riley Menzel – Certificate III Electrotechnology, TAFE Elizabeth…
August 10, 2023 Read More
Beef Week 2021 Student ExperienceNewsStudents

Beef Week 2021 Student Experience

CEF was excited to support two students from Cunnamulla, Queensland to attend Beef Week 2021 in Rockhampton. With the help of CEF Australia, CEF Paroo, Beef Australia and Angus Barrett Saddlery, Tom O’Brien and Lachlan Sheahan had the opportunity to…
May 27, 2021 Read More
Students say thank youNewsMedia

Students say thank you

National Volunteer Week is the annual celebration to acknowledge the generous contributions of our volunteers. The work of CEF is carried out by more than 415 passionate volunteers across Australia who work tirelessly to support our rural and regional youth. What…
May 17, 2021 Read More
Remote learning brings Sam closer to her communityNewsStudentsAlumniGrants

Remote learning brings Sam closer to her community

Sam has an associate degree in education and is currently studying remotely to complete her Bachelor of Primary Education at the University of Southern Queensland. Samantha was a finalist in the 2020 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award and is the founder…
June 5, 2020 Read More

CEF Paroo News

Riley Menzel Zaps Study Costs with VERTO ScholarshipNewsStudentsGrantsCommittee NewsPartnersScholarships

Riley Menzel Zaps Study Costs with VERTO Scholarship

Country Education Foundation of Australia (CEF) and VERTO are excited to announce six scholarship recipients undertaking an apprenticeship, traineeship or vocational education. The six 2023 VERTO – CEF Scholarships are awarded to: Riley Menzel – Certificate III Electrotechnology, TAFE Elizabeth…
August 10, 2023 Read More
Beef Week 2021 Student ExperienceNewsStudents

Beef Week 2021 Student Experience

CEF was excited to support two students from Cunnamulla, Queensland to attend Beef Week 2021 in Rockhampton. With the help of CEF Australia, CEF Paroo, Beef Australia and Angus Barrett Saddlery, Tom O’Brien and Lachlan Sheahan had the opportunity to…
May 27, 2021 Read More
Students say thank youNewsMedia

Students say thank you

National Volunteer Week is the annual celebration to acknowledge the generous contributions of our volunteers. The work of CEF is carried out by more than 415 passionate volunteers across Australia who work tirelessly to support our rural and regional youth. What…
May 17, 2021 Read More
Remote learning brings Sam closer to her communityNewsStudentsAlumniGrants

Remote learning brings Sam closer to her community

Sam has an associate degree in education and is currently studying remotely to complete her Bachelor of Primary Education at the University of Southern Queensland. Samantha was a finalist in the 2020 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award and is the founder…
June 5, 2020 Read More