Scholarship Award

We give away a total of €7,000 each year in Student Scholarships!

€1,000 will be awarded to one student from each of our 7 secondary schools in our common bond who are attending third-level for the first time. The award is not performance-based.

People First Credit Union is committed to providing its members with valuable financial services. We recognize that third-level education can be a financial burden on students and their families, we want to help reduce the financial strain of registration fees, rent, travel, bills, books etc.

Terms and Conditions

This is the official page for the Scholarship Award. Only entries received through this page will be included in the draw, entries through any other medium will not be accepted.

The closing date for applications is 1st December 2026. The credit union reserves the right to extend this closing date.

  1. Applicants must be active members of People First Credit Union and meet AML compliance requirements (valid Photo ID and Proof of Address).
  2. Only one application per student will be included in the draw.
  3. Applicants must be scheduled to sit their Leaving Certificate exams in June 2026 at one of the following eligible schools:
    • St Mary’s CBS
    • Scoil Chríost Rí
    • Portlaoise College
    • Coláiste Dhún Masc / Dunamase College
    • Heywood Community School
    • Ardscoil na Trionóide
    • Athy College
  4. Applicants must be entering (for the first time) into a third-level course or a similar Level 5 course in September 2026 with a minimum duration of one year.
  5. People First Credit Union reserves the right to assess and confirm whether a course qualifies for the award. Upon request, applicants must provide proof of acceptance and attendance for the first year of the eligible course.
  6. The draw will be conducted at People First Credit Union offices by an appointed panel of staff and supervised by credit union management.
  7. Winners will be announced at or before the People First Credit Union AGM and will also be notified by telephone, email, or letter.
  8. The scholarship winner (or a designated representative) must attend the presentation ceremony to accept the award. If they are unable to attend, the scholarship will be reallocated to another recipient.

 

Application Form

If the above link doesn't work, please click here to access the form.

Past Winners

2025/26 Winners
  • Liam Maher - St. Mary's CBS
  • Nathan Lam - Portlaoise College
  • Sarah Murrell - Scoil Chriost Ri
  • Szymon Trela - Dunamase College
  • Grace Foxe - Heywood CS
  • Robyn Dwyer - Ardscoil na Trionoide
  • Maita Phairah - Athy College
2024/25 Winners
  • Rian Maher- St. Mary's CBS
  • Sorina Stratu- Portlaoise College
  • Tara Ring- Scoil Chriost Ri
  • Sadhbh Bergin- Dunamase College
  • Ava Churchouse- Heywood CS
  • Oisin O'Donohue- Ardscoil na Trionoide
  • Elizabeth Byrne- Athy College
2023/24 Winners
  • Molly O' Rourke - Heywood Community School
  • Gary Young O' Shea - St. Mary's CBS, Portlaoise
  • Gracious Adebiyi - Scoil Chríost Rí
  • Oisin Grufferty - Ardscoil na Trionóide, Athy
  • Naomi Grant Akande - Portlaoise College 
2022/23 Winners
  • Sinead Larkin – Scoil Chriost Rí Portlaoise
  • Laura Vesey – Heywood Community School
  • Gloria Okafor – Ardscoil Na Trionoide
  • Cúán Tilson – Portlaoise College
  • Jason Alade – St Marys CBS