The Fr. Patsy Carolan Education Bursary


Welcome to the Fr.Patsy Carolan Education Bursary Application Page

Circle is proud to launch the Fr. Patsy Carolan Education Bursary, designed to support tenants and their household members in starting or continuing their journey in education, training, or personal development.

About the Bursary

Named in honour of Fr. Patsy Carolan, a passionate advocate for tenant wellbeing, this bursary reflects his deep commitment to empowering our communities. Fr. Patsy is a founding member of Circle, the former committee member and patron of our board. You’ll often see him visiting our housing schemes and engaging with tenants at events, always listening and championing their experiences.

What the Bursary Offers

This bursary offers up to €500 per applicant to help make education and training more accessible by supporting costs such as:

  • Tuition or course fees
  • Exam or registration fees
  • Course materials (books, equipment, etc.)
  • Other education-related expenses

The bursary supports:

  • Full-time and part-time courses
  • Accredited training programmes
  • Online or blended learning
  • Skills or job-related courses

Who Can Apply

You are eligible under the following criteria:

  • You are a Circle tenant or an authorised occupant
  • You are aged 18 or over
  • You are enrolling in or already studying a recognised course

Note: The course must be accredited or lead to recognised qualifications, skills, or employment opportunities.

How to Apply

If you’re a Circle tenant and meet the eligibility criteria, we encourage you to apply.

Frequently asked questions

No. You can apply if you’ve been accepted into a course that’s about to begin.

You can only make one application per year. You may reapply for a different course in the future.

No. There are no income restrictions. The bursary is designed to support anyone who would benefit from financial help with education.

No. It includes full-time, part-time, accredited courses, and skills-based training.

Yes, as long as they are an authorised occupant and meet the eligibility criteria.

You must provide proof of acceptance or enrolment in your course (a letter or email is sufficient).

You must notify Circle. In some cases, funding may need to be returned, depending on the circumstances.

We aim to notify all applicants within 10 working days after the closing date.

An internal review panel made up of tenants and staff will assess applications confidentially using set scoring criteria.

Successful applicants will receive a prepaid debit card loaded with the approved amount. This card can be used to pay course-related expenses.