Three lucky students will each receive €3,000 towards their education cost up to a maximum of 4 years.
The Colm Church Scholarship is now closed.
Closing Date: Thursday 12th March 2026 at 5pm.
The Colm Church Scholarship Scheme is open to all members of the credit union who are planning to start their third level education in September 2026 or are already in third level education and will progress to their next year of study in September 2026.
We were blown away by the significant number of applications received, and the standards were incredibly high.
We have selected 10 finalists. Each of our finalists will receive an Apple Macbook Air Laptop to the value of €1,500 and 3 of our finalists will be chosen to receive €3,000 per annum to support their educational journey.
Shane Whelan
Lucan, Co Dublin
Shane is a third-year student in UCD studying Computer Science with Data Science and AI.
Shane is captaining the powertrain division of UCD Formula Student. They are working towards something that the team has never done before, they want to get their electric car driving and competing in Silverstone this July.
Noah Delaney
Lucan, Co Dublin
Noah is currently in a Pre-University course in Physiotherapy and has hopes to continue Physiotherapy in Hanze University, Netherlands. Noah has a keen interesting in helping people to improve their quality of life through physiotherapy.
Outside of attending to patients and helping others, Noah has a strong passion for football where he and his team won the U19 FAI Leinster Schools Football Championship 2025. He is currently the captain on his football team.
Lauren O’Leary
Delgany, Co Wicklow
Lauren is a secondary school student hoping to study Economics and Finance in UCD.
Outside of studying for the Leaving Cert, Lauren has represented Wicklow LGFA and plays for her local GAA Club. She was awarded ‘Young LGFA Player of the Year’ in her local GAA club for the senior team.
Katie Baldwin
Ballyfoyle, Co Kilkenny
Katie is a second-year student in DCU studying Health and Society.
Outside of studying, Katie is a multiple national medallist across events such as heptathlon and triple jump having been awarded the Leinster Senior Star Awards in 2024 and 2025 regarding her athletic achievements. Outside of training, Katie coaches’ teenage girls in jumps and hurdles.
Hugh Connor
Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan
Hugh is a secondary school student hoping to study Computing Science or Software Engineering in Ulster University.
Hugh has a keen interest computing and has attended several computing courses to solidifying his desire to study it further. Hugh and a team participated in Vex Robotics competition, where they placed second and won the award for best designed robot.
Raven Hannah Armstrong
Cappawhite, Co Tipperary
Raven is a secondary school student in The Netherlands hoping to study International Studies in Leiden University.
Raven was selected for the national European Youth Parliament where she represented Ireland. Hannah has a keen interest in travelling and exploring the world and to see different cultures.
Emily Loftus
Balla, Co Mayo
Emily is a secondary school student hoping to study Medicine in University College Galway.
Emily grew up on a remote farm in Mayo, which has given her the drive she needs to aspire to do Medicine. She has won Student of Year in multiple subjects and recently won Music & Chemistry Student of the Year. Along with this, Emily also partakes in Soroptimist Girls public speaking competitions.
Sean Lynch
Kiltale, Co Meath
Sean is a third-year student in TU Dublin studying Product Design.
Sean is currently on an Erasmus semester in Barcelona. He has a keen interest in creating products to help enhance athletes. His interest in product design started at a young age, looking to create the ‘Perfect Football Boot’ here he got recognised by Puma and was invited over to their HQ. Having always been a creative person, he has learned through Product Design how to apply this creativity to solve real-world problems.
Liam Meharg
Tramore, Co Waterford
Liam is a secondary school student hoping to study Linguistics in Selwyn College, Cambridge.
Liam has had a keen interest in language from a very young age and hopes to go onto doing a doctorate in linguistics. Liam has gone on Erasmus trips to further his understanding of foreign languages. Only recently, he undertook lessons in Latin and Ancient Greek.
Sean Kiely
Newbridge, Co Kildare
Sean is a first-year student studying Medicine in Trinity College Dublin.
Responsibility, dedication and contributing back to the community is the driving force behind Sean wanting to pursue his career in medicine. Aside from studying for Medicine, Sean has a keen interest in Powerlifting where he placed 3rd in the 2025 Championship.
Eligibility
I am a member of St. Raphael’s Garda Credit Union at the time of application.
The duration of the planned/current course is three years or more.
The planned/current course is a full-time level 7 or higher, or equivalent.
You have not completed a third level course and are not applying as a mature student.
You have obtained a Character Reference from School Principal or Head of Faculty.
You have enclosed official examination results document.