This purpose-built online search platform will allow students to locate hundreds of scholarships in just a few quick clicks.

There are hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships up for grabs each year, but knowing where to look and how to apply is a big hurdle for school leavers, especially country students who don’t have easy access to tertiary institutions.

CEF has brought together scholarships from a broad range of facilities from across Australia in one easy to use website.

“Who says the next Nobel Prize or a cure for cancer can’t come from a country kid who has been taught in a one-teacher school?” CEF chief executive officer Wendy Cohen asked.

“We are firm believers that your postcode shouldn’t determine your destiny, this resource can make the task of finding additional financial assistance that much less overwhelming for school leavers.

“School leavers from rural and regional Australia have just as much potential as kids who grow up in the city but are being locked out of further education because of financial pressures and a lack of access to opportunities.”

Ms Cohen said CEF is committed to levelling the higher education playing field for rural and regional students.

“Accommodation, course fees, textbooks and equipment and travel is just too much for a lot of students and their families. Relocation costs, accommodation and living expenses are closing the door on opportunity for a lot of country kids and that’s just not fair.”

“If we can help with that through offering our Scholarships Guide as well as our own local foundation grants, we are helping open doors and closing the education attainment gap.” 

The CEF 2018 scholarships guide is available at www.cef.org.au.