Almost 1 in 5 SUSI grant applications in Clare for the last academic year were refused by the body.
It comes as the assistance has been increased in Budget 2022 for the first time in a decade.
Figures obtained by Clare FM following a Freedom of Information request show more than 14,500 applications have been made to SUSI in Clare in the last five years.
More than 2,300 of these have been turned down, including 548 last year – the highest number of refusals for this county on record.
More than half of the applications turned down from Clare students relate to their, or their dependent’s income being over the required limit for support.
Other reasons include the late submission of documentation or the required course not being a step up in their academic progression.
The majority of students in this county who do have their applications accepted are receiving 100 percent maintenance, which is anything up to €3,025.
Around 15 percent of successful Clare applications are receiving the so-called ‘special rate’ of up to €5,915.
The maintenance grant is now to be increased by €200 for students under measures announced in Budget 2022, with eligibility criteria also to be extended.
In a statement to Clare FM, SUSI says students must meet all eligibility criteria outlined in the Student Support Act 2011 legislation, and that they cannot modify or verify current rules.
