Complete the Bursary Award digital application form. You will receive a PDF of your completed application in your inbox, which you must submit to your school before 16th October 2026. Applications open: 25th September.
180
K
In € Bursaries and prizes to date
23
Winners to date
€
8000
For two students
€
250
Prize for finalists
Over the last thirteen years, the bursary has contributed €180,000 to local students, and this year, the winning students will receive €8,000 each!
One of the ways we do this is by awarding two students with the Croí Laighean Credit Union Student Bursary Award each year. This prestigious award provides €8,000 towards the cost of third-level education. Over the last thirteen years, the bursary has contributed over €180,000 to local students.
** The bursary is only open to members of Croí Laighean Credit Union **
How it works...
Each school will assess all applications received, based on the eligibility and selection criteria. Three finalists from each school will be nominated to progress to the next stage. Finalists will be chosen by Friday the 6th of November 2026.
The 18 finalists must attend an in-person interview that will take place on the 20th, 21st, and 22nd of November 2026. We will inform you of the time, date, and location before the commencement of the interview stage.
The winners will be announced on Tuesday the 8th of December 2026. Both winners will be awarded a prize of €8,000 towards their third-level education, and the other finalists will each receive a €250 prize.
Who can apply...
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 bursary terms and conditions. These schools include;
- Coláiste Chiaráin Leixlip
- Confey College Leixlip
- Scoil Mhuire Community School Clane
- Oaklands Community College Edenderry
- St. Mary’s Secondary School Edenderry
- St. Farnan’s Post Primary School Prosperous
What happens next...
Once you have applied via the digital submission, you will receive a PDF copy of the completed application form 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 Friday the 16th of October 2026**
Application form...
Bursary FAQ...
1. Do I have to be a member of CLCU to apply?
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.
2. Can I request a deadline extension?
In the interest of fairness to all applicants, we are unable to grant deadline extensions to individual applicants.
3. Can I apply directly to Croí Laighean CU?
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.
4. How are applications assessed by Croí Laighean Credit Union?
We will review applications, according to these 4 pillars:
- School & Community Involvement: Extracurricular activities, school involvement, and how do you make a difference in your local community?
- Academic Achievement: what are your career goals, what do you plan to study, and why have you chosen this path?
- Knowledge of Croí Laighean Credit Union: what do you know about our Credit Union, what are our services, how do we participate in the local community, and how do you see yourself using us in the future?
- What does the Bursary mean 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?
5. View the full terms and conditions of the CLCU Student Bursary.
Bursary Award
Terms & Conditions
1. Applicant must be attending any of the six secondary schools in the common bond and pursuing third level education in the coming year.
2. Applicant must be a member of Croí Laighean Credit Union.
3. Applicant must complete an application form in full and return it to their school on or before the deadline.
4. Applicants must be available for interview.
5. Acceptance that the judges’ decision will be final. No correspondence will be entered into following the final decision.
6. 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.
7. 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.