FOR A LESS STRESSFUL START TO THE SCHOOL YEAR

No one wants to have to borrow to cover Back to School costs. The reality however is that many people now have no choice, due to the high costs involved. The June 2026 Credit Union survey showed that 27% of parents are getting into debt to cover back to school costs with 59% saying covering back to school is a financial burden. This is not surprising when parents are spending over €2,100 per child at second level and at primary school, parents are forking out over €1,600 per child to cover upfront and running costs throughout the year.*

Back to school costs are continuing to rise for parents as well as increasing food prices and energy costs and the financial burden of all of this brings huge stress on families. Talk to us today about how we can help take some of the stress away from the back to school season with a Back to School Loan.

If you’re thinking of applying for a Back to School Loan but don’t know where to start, our most commonly asked Back to School Loan questions will tell you everything you need to know. 

1.Who can get a Back to School Loan?

South Dublin Credit Union offers Back to School Loans to our members who are parents or guardians of primary or secondary school going children. If you are not yet a member of South Dublin Credit Union please click here.

2. What does a Back to School Loan cover?

We offer Back to School Loans to cover all essential school expenses from school fees and uniforms to iPads, books, stationery, extra curricular equipment, school trips or any school related expenses.

3. How much can I borrow for a Back to School Loan?

South Dublin Credit Union will allow you to borrow from as little as €500 for a Back to School Loan. We assess all loans on a case by case basis and will work with you and your personal circumstances to ensure you get a loan that covers all your Back to School requirements. If you have a certain amount in mind that you’d like to borrow, why not submit a loan enquiry to us here.

4. How long does it take to get a Back to School Loan?

We offer quick loan approval times with the bulk of our standard loans approved within 24 hours of all correct required documentation being provided to us.

5. How much does a Back to School Loan cost?

The low interest rate for our Back to School Loans is only 6.31% (6.5% APR).

For example if you want to borrow €2,000 and repay it over a period of two years (24 months) your repayment will be €89 monthly with total interest payable of €134 and a total repayable of €2,134.

To calculate how much you could borrow for your personal circumstances and what your repayments will be check out our Loan Calculator.

To avail of this special Back to School loan rate of 6.31% (6.5% APR) we may require you to provide proof of school fees, equipment etc.

 6. How long do you have to repay a Back to School Loan?

 The maximum amount of time a member has to repay a Back to School Loan is 12 months (1 year).

7. How can I apply for a Back to School Loan?

Members can apply for a Back to School Loan via our Mobile App, our online banking service, over the phone on 01 288 4877 or at our office at 63-65 Lower Kilmacud Road, Stillorgan.

8. Is a Back to School Credit Union Loan better than a Credit Card?

Many people think using a credit card for back to school expenses is easy and convenient. Credit card fees and interest rates however can be very high with some companies charging interest rates up to 22.9% APR. The interest rate on a South Dublin Credit Union Back to School Loan at 6.5% APR is much lower than credit card interest. We therefore recommend that to save money on back to school costs that you avoid using a credit card to fund these expenses.

You can also pay back your Back to School Credit Union Loan earlier than agreed without any financial penalty. In fact, there are never any hidden fees or charges with a credit union loan.

If you need a little financial support to get your children back to school, then apply for a flexible low rate Back to School Loan from South Dublin Credit Union today.

Terms & Conditions Apply. All loans are subject to approval. If you do not meet the repayments on your loan, your account will go into arrears. This may affect your credit rating which may limit your ability to access credit in the future. South Dublin Credit Union Limited is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

*Irish League of Credit Unions Back to School Survey June 2026.