With the cost of living continually rising, this will of course also affect college students heading for their first and subsequent college term this Autumn but Clonakilty and Dunmanway Credit Union can offer a helping hand. With its low interest rate, flexible repayment options and very high approval rate, their Education Loan is ideal for students. For possibly the first loan of their adult life, students won’t find a friendlier or more understanding organisation to deal with.
Clonakilty and Dunmanway Credit Union is also delighted to be organising its Kevin Mullen Cash for College Draw for the seventh year running. This draw has been set up to help with the many costs of college and has been named to honour the late Kevin Mullen for his contribution to the Credit Union movement.
The Cash for College Draw is open to ALL College/Apprentice students in its common bond who will be attending college/apprenticeship in Autumn 2025.
The total prize fund is €4,500 with three students now winning €1,500 cash to put towards the many costs of college.
Clonakilty native Hannah Rafferty (pictured) was a winner in 2024 and found her prize money to be a huge help in her final year of studying Visual Communications at MTU Bishopstown under the Crawford College of Art and Design. “I used it to cover the cost of materials, art supplies and printing for my final year degree show, which showcases my Final Year Project. It also supported travel expenses, including trips to Dublin for field research for my fourth-year thesis, as well as commuting between Clonakilty, college and my part-time job.”
Also thanks to the grant, Hannah was able to save some of her own earnings, which has made it possible for her to travel with friends this summer. “That is something I would not have been able to do otherwise, and I feel incredibly lucky and grateful for the support,” she says.
The student hopes to go on to do a Master’s in Primary Education (PMEP) next year with the goal of becoming a primary school teacher. Alongside teaching, she plans to continue working on freelance design projects and creative passion projects, especially during the summers and in her spare time.
To enter this draw you must be completing a full time Diploma/Degree at a Third Level Institution, apprenticeship or a full-time PLC. You must open or hold an account with Clonakilty and Dunmanway Credit Union.
You can enter online at www.cdcreditunion.ie or pick up an entry form from the Credit Union offices in Clonakilty or Dunmanway. Entry forms must be completed in full and returned to the Credit Union by 5pm on September 30, 2025.
The student cash prizes will be allocated by an Open Draw which will be held publicly in Clonakilty and Dunmanway Credit Union on a date to be announced later.
