Students are still having difficulties getting their college grants from SUSI.

The Students Union at University College Dublin says hundreds of students there still haven't been paid their grant, and are amassing debt while they what for the funds.

54,000 third level students have been awarded funding from the grant awarding body Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) so far this year.

New figures from SUSI show a rise in the number of students awarded grand aid - which is up from 43,000 this time last year.

SUSI says this is due to significant improvements made to the operation.

43,000 college goers were paid throughout October.

The body says the remaining students - who have already been awarded grants and are still to be paid - will receive their grants as soon as their colleges confirm they are registered.

SUSI has received more than 100,000 applications for 2014/2015, and expects to award some 73,000 grants for this academic year.

40,000 of these awarded grants will be to new applicants - the remainder will be renewals. It is currently awaiting documentation from 10,000 students.