Rules of the Scheme
- A Scholarship Committee (the “Committee”) has been appointed by the Board of Directors to manage the selection process.
- The Committee comprises of the CEO, our external auditor and an external advisor.
- A shortlist of ten applicants will be selected by the Committee for interview.
- All ten applicants shortlisted for interview will receive a prize of an Apple MacBook Air Laptop to the maximum value of €1,500.
- Three of the shortlisted applicants will be awarded up to the value of €3,000 p.a. up to a maximum of four years or for the course duration, whichever is shorter.
- The Committee will select the recipients they consider to be most suitable in line with the evaluation criteria and without reference to any further parties or organisations.
- The first year’s scholarship payment will be made to the successful applicant on the production of satisfactory evidence that they have been offered a place on a suitable course and have accepted that offer and been enrolled into that course.
- Annual payment of the scholarship is entirely dependent on successful completion of the preceding year of the course and continued participation in the course by the recipient.
- The Committee’s decision is final in all matters.
- Applicants must be a member of the credit union at the time of application.
- The application must be in respect of a fulltime undergraduate course of study of degree standard (i.e, level 7 or Level 8 on the NFQ Scale) in one of the Irish higher educational institutions.
- Applications will also be accepted in respect of courses offered outside of the jurisdiction, provided the qualification awarded on successful completion of the course is of an equivalent standard on the NFQ Scale and is awarded by a reputable higher education institution.
- Course duration must be for a minimum of three years.
- Students already in third level education can apply for subsequent years, provided all other criteria are met.
- In the event that the applicant discontinues his or her participation in the course, the entitlement to the scholarship award ceases immediately.
- Payment of the scholarship is dependent on the recipient commencing his/her course of study in the year the scholarship awarded.
- Should the successful applicant defer commencement of the course, the payment of the scholarship will also be deferred.
- Any changes in a recipient’s circumstances relating to the course of study should be referred to the Committee for consideration.
- All applicants are required to submit a completed application form together with a personal statement of not more than 600 words outlining ‘What the Scholarship would mean to me’.
- A character reference is required from the Principal of the second level school for applicants that have not yet commenced third level education.
- For applicants already studying in a third level institution, a character reference is required from their Head of Faculty.
- All applicants must be available for interview with the Committee.
- Fully completed application forms must be received in the timeframe advertised by the credit union. Late or incomplete entries shall be disqualified.
- Canvassing is strictly prohibited and will render candidates as disqualified.
- The Colm Church Scholarship scheme is not open to those who previously completed a third level course, those who are applying as a mature student or those applying for post graduate courses of study.
- Only one scholarship per family at any given time.
- The Colm Church Scholarship scheme is not open to connected parties of the Committee members.
- Payment of the scholarship will be made annually, following receipt of proof of acceptance to the course in the first year, and on confirmation of successful completion of exams for the following years.
- Payment will be made to the Share Account of the successful student on 1st September annually or on the next working day if the 1st September falls on a non-working day.
- Students must pass all exams to be eligible for scholarship in the following year – Repeat years will be excluded from payment.
- The Committee reserve the right to reduce the award amount in the event that the successful recipient is in receipt of other financial awards / bursaries.
- The Committee will determine the evaluation process for all applications received and will ensure that the evaluation process is carried out fairly and consistently each year.
- Evaluation criteria of each candidate will focus on the following areas:
- Academic achievement
- Strength of personal statement
- Character reference
- Learning, financial, health, or other personal challenges overcome
- Special achievements
- Extra-curricular interests / voluntary work
- Successful applicants must participate in promotional events as deemed necessary by the credit union.
- The Board of Directors reserve the right to change the rules of the scheme at any time.
- The closing date for applications is Monday 11th March 2024.
- The ten applicants selected for interview will be notified by Friday 22nd March 2024.
- Interview dates will be conducted on Wednesday 3rd and Thursday 4th April 2024.
- Those selected for receipt of scholarship will be notified by Friday 3rd May 2024.
- Prizes will be presented in St. Raphael’s House on Friday 6th September 2024.