Sancta has renewed its partnership with the Country Education Foundation of Australia (CEF), expanding a successful scholarship initiative that supports young women from regional and rural areas to live and study in Sydney.

A Stronger Partnership, A Bigger Impact

The renewed three-year agreement strengthens a relationship first launched in 2024, when Sancta and CEF offered an initial round of $7,000 bursaries to support undergraduate women entering the College in 2025. Now, the scholarship is being significantly expanded, offering greater financial support and longer-term impact for regional and rural women with financial need.

Wendy Mason, CEO of the Country Education Foundation, stands with Sancta–CEF Scholarship recipients Bridget Ritter and Lorelai Champion, and Sancta Director of Community Engagement Hayden Edwards, all smiling for the camera.

From 2026, the Sancta-CEF Scholarship will be awarded annually to one eligible undergraduate woman, covering 50% of the student’s accommodation fees for up to three years. Based on 2025 fees, the scholarship is valued at approximately $45,000 over the course of three years.

“This partnership builds on almost 100 years of Sancta’s commitment to empowering women through education and opportunity,” said Director of Community Engagement, Hayden Edwards. “By working with CEF and their network of local foundations and volunteers, we’re connecting with students who may never have heard of Sancta or considered Sydney a real option for their tertiary studies.”

The Sancta-CEF Scholarship is funded by the College and our generous donors, but CEF’s role is what makes it unique. With deep roots in regional communities across Australia, CEF’s local foundations identify and encourage students who would benefit most from the opportunity. Through their financial grant program and the practical, local support of dedicated volunteers, CEF guides students through the often-challenging transition from school to university.

A pathway to Sydney and beyond

Sancta is home to more than 200 undergraduate women and 100 postgraduates from across Australia and the world. Over 70% of the College’s undergraduate residents come from regional or rural areas in NSW. This scholarship strengthens Sancta’s ongoing commitment to access and equity in higher education for regional and rural women.

“What begins as support with accommodation becomes so much more,” said Hayden Edwards. “These scholarships will give three young women the confidence, stability, and community they need to thrive and take that experience forward, wherever life leads them.”

Lorelai Champion, one of the inaugural Sancta-CEF scholarship recipients and a current UTS student, says the scholarship has been transformative.

“It made the difference in my ability to live in Sydney, providing me with the opportunity to reach my goals,” she said. “Sancta’s community helped me adjust to city life, and I’ve found lasting friendships and support here.”

She encourages other regional and rural women considering Sancta and Sydney to “open yourself up to new experiences. It can be a daunting move, but it brings so many exciting possibilities.”