Twenty-five students, including four from Henry Lawson High School in Grenfell, took advantage of the opportunity given to them by the CEF, which covered their costs for transport, accommodation, and meals, thanks to funding from its partnership with Charles Sturt University.

Students were collected from Parkes, Forbes, Grenfell, Young and Cootamundra and transported to Wagga Wagga to learn about the university, the courses it offers, and the benefits of studying in a regional area.

CEF Manager of Partnerships Hilary Matchett, who organised the trip, said its aim was to build motivation and aspiration for students from targeted areas and to keep them engaged with exploring their tertiary study opportunities.

"It is important to deliver these sorts of opportunities for students in our regions, as with the rising cost of living, travelling to university events, such as an Explore Day, can have many barriers for a regional student," she said.

"Students thoroughly enjoyed seeing learning facilities, learning about application processes, accommodation and scholarships, going on campus tours and hearing from current students about what studying at a regional university could be like."

Charles Sturt University Manager, Future Student Marketing and Engagement, Sarah Stevenson, said the university's partnership with CEF demonstrated its commitment to improving access to university for rural and regional students.

"The recent trip to our Explore Day at the Wagga Wagga campus with twenty-five students from seven schools demonstrates the significance of the collaboration - providing regional high school students with the chance to experience university life firsthand.

"Students were able to talk to academics about courses and careers, attend tours of facilities, accommodation, and social spaces; exposing them to the possibilities and raising aspiration," she said.