50,000 third-level students await grant answers

More than 50,000 third-level students are still waiting to hear whether they have qualified for a grant. The academic term started last month.

The Irish Independent reports that a new online system being used to process applications is in chaos.

The system was designed to speed up the process but today's report says only one in 16 grant applications has been approved.

It has also emerged that some applicants may be waiting until next year for the money.

The centralised body that awards the grants, known as SUSI, said the main reason for the delay was students' failure to submit the necessary documentation to support their application.