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.

Applications open to 6th Years heading to third level in September from:

  • St Mary's CBS, Portlaoise
  • Scoil Chriost Rí, Portlaoise
  • Portlaoise College, Portlaoise
  • Dunamase College Choláiste Dhún Masc, Portlaoise
  • Athy College, Athy
  • Ardscoil na Trionóide, Athy
  • Heywood Community School, Abbeyleix

IMPORTANT: You must be sitting your Leaving Certificate in June 2025 to apply for this Award.

Winning entrants must provide evidence of acceptance and attendance of the first year in a full time Third Level course upon request.

Terms and Conditions

  • This is the official form for the Scholarship Award. Only entries received through this form will be included in the draw, entries through any other medium will not be accepted.
  • The closing date for applications is 30th September 2025. The credit union reserves the right to extend this closing date.

Applicant Eligibility

  • Applicants must be active members of People First Credit Union and meet AML compliance requirements (valid Photo ID and Proof of Address).
  • Only one application per student will be included in the draw.
  • Applicants must be scheduled to sit their Leaving Certificate exams in June 2025 at one of the following eligible schools:
    • St Mary’s CBS
    • Scoil Chríost Rí
    • Portlaoise College
    • Coláiste Dhún Masc / Dunamase College
    • Heywood Community School
    • Árdscoil na Trionóide
    • Athy College

Course Eligibility

  • Applicants must be entering (for the first time) into a third-level course or a similar Level 5 course in September 2025 with a minimum duration of one year.
  • 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.

Award Draw and Notification

  • The draw will be conducted at People First Credit Union offices by an appointed panel of staff and supervised by credit union management.
  • Winners will be announced at or before the People First Credit Union AGM and will also be notified by telephone, email, or letter.
  • 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.

2025 Scholarship Application Form

Reminder: If you are not sitting your Leaving Certificate in June 2025 - you are ineligible for this Award.

This is only for us to confirm that you have applied to (or expect to apply to) a third-level course. We understand that CAO options change so your choice has no effect on your application.

This is only for us to confirm that you have applied to (or expect to apply to) a third-level course. We understand that CAO options change so your choice has no effect on your application.

Past Winners

2024/25

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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