STUDENT GRANTS AWARDING body SUSI expects to award around 60,000 grants this year, following a total of 91,000 applications. Final decisions have been made on all completed applications received.

52,000 grants have been awarded so far. Of these, 32,000 are first time applicants, with the remainder renewing their grants.

Around 48,000 students are already receiving their payments, with the rest to be paid as soon as their colleges confirm that they are registered and attending their courses.

In its latest progress report, the body has confirmed it’s reached the finalisation stage for grants two months faster than the last academic year.

There was strong criticism of the body during its first year of operation, with a number of significant shortcomings identified. Extra staff were hired earlier this year, and the application process was streamlined, meaning students don’t have to complete as much documentation.

The body is appealing for additional information and documents from around 11,000 students so that their applications can be moved forward.

According to SUSI, once those documents are in, the students in question should have a decision on their grant within two weeks.

It’s expected around 2,000 of that 11,000 won’t proceed with their application.

Read: Susi: More staff, less bureaucracy, prioritised payments

Related: Student denied a grant by SUSI, despite being €7,600 below income threshold