Susi expects to award grants to around 70,000 students

More than 54,500 people have applied for grants for the first time as the countdown to Leaving Certificate results nears an end.

Although most college places will not be decided for almost two weeks after the issue of exam results to more than 53,000 Leaving Certificate students next Wednesday, families can seek provisional approval before securing entry to a course.

The 54,632 first-time grant applicants to Student Universal Support Ireland (Susi) are among 92,136 students or intending students to have lodged applications by last Friday’s deadline. There were 37,504 renewal applications from students who received a grant over the past academic year.