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HASTINGS EDUCATION FUND

HASTINGS EDUCATION FUND

✦ The Hastings Education Fund was established to provide much needed financial assistance and support to local youth to help them achieve their post high school education, training and vocational aspirations.

With this in mind, the Hastings Education Fund raises funds 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.

The funds come directly from your local community – none of it is government funded – celebrating the aspirations of local youth and working to help them achieve these aspirations.

It’s their way of saying “we believe in you and want to support your goals.”

Vision

Vibrant and thriving rural and regional communities where youth of any background or ability can access the services and resources they need in order to fulfill their personal potential and contribute fully to the communities in which they live and the broader society.

Mission

To promote and enable the further education, career and personal development opportunities for rural youth, through communitybased encouragement and financial assistance. To help close the participation gap which exists between country and city students.

Hastings Education Fund Supports Students from the Area High Schools

• Camden Haven High School

• St Joseph’s Regional College

• Wauchope High School

• Port Macquarie High School

• Hastings Secondary College

• Hastings Secondary College – Westport Campus

• Hastings Secondary College – Port Macquarie Campus

• Mackillop College

• Heritage Christian School

• Nautilus Senior College

• St Columba Anglican College

• Newman Senior Technical College

Ongoing Scholarships

Hastings Education Fund provides two additional scholarships which provide $5,000 per annum for up to three years to two tertiary students who, in the previous year, received a HEF Commencing Grant. The scholarships operate in the same way as the HEF grant, i.e. reimbursement for validated educational expenses. Continuation of the scholarship in subsequent years depends on successful completion of each year of studies.

Essential selection criteria are the demonstration of:

• Continuing financial need including details of government support and other grants/scholarships received

• Successful completion of year 1 of their tertiary studies; and commitment to completion of their tertiary studies.

To be considered to receive either of these Scholarships for Continuing Education you must:

• Submit an application through the CEF website. Applications are open from 26th October – 14th November. This is the same process as your initial application for a HEF grant. Choose “Yes have applied before”, complete the relevant details and indicate in the ‘Supporting Statement’ section, which scholarship/s you are applying for

• Participate in an interview (personal or online) with the scholarship sponsors and members of the HEF Committee (specific date to be confirmed during the week beginning 23 November)

• Attend the HEF Presentation Ceremony in December 2020

• Your application will be strengthened by the inclusion of evidence to support your financial and circumstantial need, your commitment to your chosen academic pathway and your current performance. Evidence may include financial statements, academic transcripts, references and a record of your successful transition to tertiary education in 2020.

Responsibilities of the scholarship recipient are:

• Completion of a twice-yearly report for HEF on your progress including an academic transcript

• Identification of how the grant has assisted you in achieving your goals for each semester

• Participation in the selection of the scholarship recipient for the following year

Kay and John Burman Scholarship for continuing education

➸ HEF Chair Jim O’Brien pictured with major HEF sponsors Kaye & John Burman, Leslie Williams MP and Hastings Secondary College Principal Meaghan Cook.

The scholarship sponsors, Kay and John Burman, wish to develop a positive and supportive relationship with the recipient in addition to the financial support. Their interest in the success and progress of the recipient is not only in providing funding, but also on a more personal level.

You are asked to provide a short non-financial progress report directly to the sponsors twice each year to let them know how you are going. Your initiative and commitment is expected. Soon after the scholarship is confirmed, the sponsors and the recipient will meet to discuss how they will communicate during the year.

Apply - select ‘Hastings

Lewis Land Group Scholarship for continuing education

➸ Matthew McCarron CEO of major HEF sponsor Lewis Land Group/Sovereign Hills pictured with HEF Chair Jim O’Brien

Preference will be given to tertiary students undertaking studies in a relevant subject, including property, construction, engineering, business, finance, law and/or communications. As part of the scholarship, Lewis Land Group will also seek to provide the successful candidate with the opportunity to undertake paid work experience that is relevant to their field of study at one of their businesses located in Port Macquarie, Sydney, Adelaide and/or the Gold Coast.

Apply - select ‘Hastings

The Hastings Education Fund supports a diverse range of education and career pursuits including apprenticeships, traineeships, cadetships, degrees, diplomas and certificate level studies or entry careers. They do not provide cash grants directly to the recipients – the local foundation reimburses the student for a pre-agreed expense or pays the goods and services providers directly.

Application Dates

OPEN: AUGUST 1CLOSE: SEPTEMBER 30

WAYS TO HELP

CEF relies on donations and the generosity of individuals and likeminded corporations. They do not receive any government funding and can proudly claim that they are run by a committed group of family, friends and community.

➹ Meet Ash Nielsen. Ash epitomises what we do at CEF, create opportunities for young rural and regional people to follow their dreams when circumstantial, financial and logistical barriers stand in their way.

Contact JOY CORBEN:

1300 652 144

hastingseducationfundstudent@gmail.com cef.org.au/foundations/hastings/ www.facebook.com/hastingseducationfund/

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