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.

Graham Doyle, head of communications with SUSI, is urging these students to return their outstanding documents: "The processing of applications for 2014/2015 is going extremely well. I would urge those students who have still to submit their requested documentation to do so as soon as possible so that the assessment of their applications can be completed."