Southern Cross partners with Country Education Foundation to launch University Survival Guide

Southern Cross University Pro Vice Chancellor of Engagement Ben Roche said the University was proud to support resources that helped rural and regional students successfully transition to tertiary education.

“Taking those first steps on the journey to university are both daunting and exhilarating. The University Survival Guide is a great tool to support students in making those first steps on a path to further learning and achievement. As a University proud of its accessibility and location in regional Australia, it’s a natural next step that we come together with the Country Education Foundation to create this resource,” Mr Roche said.

“Southern Cross University and CEF share a deep commitment to the importance of all Australians having access to a quality tertiary education. The more we help young Australians pursue their dreams the better of Australia is.

“As Australia’s engaged university, Southern Cross is deeply committed to the needs of students and their communities. Supporting a person’s aspiration to continue learning and growing is at the heart of who we are as a young and innovative university renowned for its world-class, game changing research.”

CEF CEO Wendy Cohen said CEF’s history in providing financial help to country students going to university guaranteed all the information in the USG was relevant, valuable and tested.

“Our 25 years’ experience has given CEF great insight into the answers students need before they even know the questions,” Ms Cohen said.

“We cover the usual things like study tips and student discounts through to budgeting and finance, recipes and living out of home advice, as well and staying physically and mentally well and safe.

“Starting uni or college can be challenging for anyone. Add leaving home for the first time and having to set up and manage a household and finding some part-time work, and it becomes a huge transition for many rural and regional students, and that’s where our guide steps in with sound, simple advice and tips.”

The launch of the USG CEF also gives first-year students the chance to win a $500 voucher. To enter the O-Week competition students are encouraged to demonstrate how they could survive a week on $20! The competition is a creative way of students supporting their peers with budgeting tricks.

The Country Education Foundation is a national, not-for-profit organisation with more than 40 volunteer-run local foundations throughout NSW, QLD, NT and SA, providing grants and other assistance to young people living in rural and regional Australia to help them access higher education, training and employment.  

The CEF 2018 University Survival Guide and competition details are available at www.cef.org.au

Media contact:

Seona Cremasco, Communications and Media at Country Education Fund, on 0427 595 050 or seona@cef.org.au