Student
Bursary

At Croí Laighean Credit Union, we’re passionate about supporting local students on their educational journeys.

We support local students through our annual Student Bursary Award.

Two students will each receive €8,000 to fund their third-level education, and each of the other finalists will receive €250 each. In total, we’re investing €20,000 directly into the futures of our community’s brightest minds.

Over the past thirteen years, we’ve awarded more than €180,000 to local students, helping them take the next step in their careers, reduce financial pressure, and focus on what matters most: learning, growing, and achieving their goals.

<< Click here to apply for the 2027 Student Bursary>>

Complete the Bursary Award digital application form. After you apply, we’ll send a PDF of your completed application to your inbox. Submit this to your school before Friday, 16th October 2026.

Each school will review all applications using the eligibility and selection criteria. By Friday, the 6th of November 2026, each school will nominate three finalists to progress to the next stage.

The 18 finalists must attend an in-person interview on the 20th, 21st, and 22nd of November 2026. We’ll confirm the time, date, and location before the interview stage begins.​

We’ll announce the winners on Tuesday, 8th December 2026. Each winner will receive €8,000 towards their third-level education, and the remaining finalists will each receive €250.

<< Click here to apply for the 2027 Student Bursary>>

We are seeking applications from all 6th Year students who are attending schools in the common bond area, and who wish to further their education with a third-level course. Please see our student bursary terms and conditions here. These schools include;

• Coláiste Chiaráin, Leixlip 
• Confey College, Leixlip
• Scoil Mhuire Community Secondary School, Clane
• St Farnan’s Post Primary School, Prosperous
• Oaklands Community College, Edenderry
• St. Mary’s Secondary School, Edenderry

Once you have applied via the digital submission, you will receive a PDF copy to your inbox. If you are not happy, you can redo your application as many times as you wish – but please ensure to send only the final submission to your school. To finish your application, please email the PDF to the email address relevant to your school listed below:

• principal@colaistechiarain.com
• cobyrne@confeycollege.org
• taradunne@scoilmhuireclane.ie
• maevestapleton@oaklandscc.ie
• clcubursary@stmarysedenderry.ie
• principal@stfarnans.ie

** Completed applications must be submitted to your school by Friday, the 16th October 2026**

<< Click here to apply for the 2027 Student Bursary>>

Applications and interviews will be assessed, according to 4 pillars:​

• School & Community Involvement:
  • Your extracurricular activities
  • How you get involved in school life
  • How you make a difference in your local community​​
• Academic Achievement:
  • What are your career goals?
  • What do you plan to study?
  • Why have you chosen this path?
• Knowledge of Croi Laighean Credit Union:
  • What do you know about our Credit Union?
  • Our products and services
  • How we support the local community
  • How do you see yourself using us in the future?
• What the bursary means to you:
  • What difference would this award make to your life?
  • Why do you deserve to win it?
  • What would you do with this opportunity?

Our Student Bursary is part of a wider commitment to supporting education and community development across our common bond. You can view our latest Community Impact figures and see how member banking helps fund initiatives like this by clicking here.

Do I have to be a Member of CLCU to apply for the student bursary?

Yes, all entrants must be active members of Croí Laighean Credit Union (i.e. transacting on their account) to be eligible to apply. If you are not a member, you can join Croí Laighean Credit Union by applying online here.

Can I request a deadline extension?

In the interest of fairness to all applicants, we are unable to grant deadline extensions to individual applicants.

Can I apply directly to Croí Laighean Credit Union?

Students must submit the completed application to their school and each school will nominate three finalists to proceed to the next stage of the application process.

Is the bursary only available to college courses in Ireland?

No – the bursary isn’t limited to Ireland. You can use it for courses abroad too, as long as your chosen programme is at least three years in duration.

How are applications assessed by Croi Laighean Credit Union?

We will review applications according to these 4 pillars:

• School & Community Involvement:
  • Your extracurricular activities
  • How you get involved in school life
  • How you make a difference in your local community​​
• Academic Achievement:
  • What are your career goals?
  • What do you plan to study?
  • Why have you chosen this path?
• Knowledge of Croi Laighean Credit Union:
  • What do you know about our Credit Union?
  • Our products and services
  • How we support the local community
  • How do you see yourself using us in the future?
• What the bursary means to you:
  • What difference would this award make to your life?
  • Why do you deserve to win it?
  • What would you do with this opportunity?

What are the full Terms and Conditions of the Croí Laighean Credit Union Student Bursary Award?

Bursary Award – Terms & Conditions

• The applicant must attend any of the six secondary schools in the common bond and pursue third-level education in the coming year.
• Applicant must be a member of Croí Laighean Credit Union.
• Applicant must complete an application form in full and return it to their school on or before the deadline.
• Applicant must be available to attend an interview with the Bursary Committee.
• Acceptance that the judge’s decision will be final. No correspondence will be entered into following the final decision.
• Applicants are not eligible for the Bursary Award if a direct relative (including a grandparent) works for Croí Laighean Credit Union or is a member of its Board of Directors or Board Oversight Committee.
• Applicants are not eligible for the Bursary Award if a direct relative (including a grandparent) works at the participating school or is a member of its Board of Management