Third Level Bursary

The Carmel Whelan Memorial Bursary was designed to support one of our members entering a full-time, third level degree course. The course must be at level 7 (ordinary degree) or above. Members must be entering first year of a three year course or second year of a four year course. The member must have an active credit union account with at least four deposits to their account in the year of application.

This is a straight draw between all eligible* members and does not depend on academic achievement. The draw is open to members who are school-leavers and to members taking a degree programme as a mature student (if this is their first time to take up third level education).

The bursary is for €4,500 payable in three instalments of €1,500 over three years. The student should attain good results and provide proof of progression into the next year to drawdown the year 2 and year 3 bursary payments.

Application forms for the bursary draw in 2024 are now available from the Finnstown Office or through the link below. The closing date for 2024 applications will be Saturday October 12th. Proof of course acceptance and details of the course (what will you be studying and in what college?) should accompany applications. We can not consider the application if these documents are not attached.

*Eligibility for the draw is strictly subject to the rules. The application form, including the full set of rules is available here.

Bursary draw Winners

Winner of the 2023 Bursary draw

Congratulations to Jamie Smith. Jamie is studying Quantity Surveying & Construction Economics in Bolton Street.

Winner of the 2022 Bursary draw

Congratulations to Megan Quinn. Megan is studying Early childhood care & Education at TU Dublin. Best wishes with your studies Megan.

Winner of the 2021 Bursary draw

Congratulations to Aoife Byrne (L). Aoife is studying Biochemistry in Queens University in Belfast.

Winner of the 2020 Bursary draw

Congratulations to Cormac Sharkey who is studying Engineering in Trinity College. Cormac is a past pupil of Adamstown Community College.

Winner of the 2019 Bursary draw

Congratulations to Amanda Nolan winner of the 2019 bursary. Amanda was studying for a degree in Social Care from Tallaght IT.

Winner of the 2018 Bursary draw

Kevin Doyle won the bursary in 2018. He was undertaking a degree in Sports Management and Coaching in IT, Blanchardstown.

Winner of the 2017 Bursary draw

Emma Doran won the Bursary in 2017. She studied nursing in Trinity College

Winner of the 2016 Bursary draw

Daire MacGabhann was the winner of the 2016 bursary. Daire was studying for a Bachelors degree in Commerce in UCD.

Winner of the 2015 Bursary draw

Claire D’Arc is a past pupil of St. Josephs College in Lucan. She was undertaking a business degree in IT, Blanchardstown.

Winner of the 2014 Bursary draw

Niamh Williams is a past pupil of King’s Hospital secondary school. She was studying physiotherapy at Northumberland University in the UK.

Winner of the 2013 Bursary draw

Alan Shannon is a past pupil of Lucan Community College. He was undertaking a degree in timber product technology in Bolton Street Tech.

Carmel Whelan

Carmel was a founding member of Lucan District Credit Union in 1968. She served on the board of the credit union, in various capacities, for 5 years. In 1973 she became the first full-time manager of the credit union.

During her time with the credit union Carmel saw much change with the rapid growth of Lucan itself and the growth in membership. She oversaw the introduction of the first computer system for the credit union in 1986.

Carmel was dedicated to the credit union movement and to the development of Lucan District Credit Union for 24 years.