More people are reliant on state support for their educational needs than in previous years. At least this is what the number of new applications for the SUSI online grant application system seems to suggest.
So far, the figure stands at 59,000 new applicants, which represents an increase of 50 per cent on this time last year. There are, of course, a number of possible contributory factors to so remarkable spike in applications.
Reasons
For instance, one of the measures that SUSI took to prevent against the processing the delays it was so criticised for last year was an earlier opening date for applications.
In addition to this, SUSI also introduced electronic data links with state agencies such as the CAO, Revenue and General Registration Office to allow for direct data sharing and reduce the need for applicants to source and send in supporting documents. Such measures no doubt enabled a more timely and efficient service for students.
Crash
This year’s process was not without its share of problems, however, as a surge of last minute applications caused a system crash and necessitated a deadline extension (from 1 August to midnight on 5 August). The surge of last minute applications could therefore be dealt with over the course of several days, which is another possible cause for so large a quantity of applications.
Readers should note that late applications for the grant will still be accepted, though priority will be given to those that got through before the deadline.
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