DSA Guide

About Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSA)

Disabled Students’ Allowances provide extra financial help for Students who have a disability or specific learning difficulty like dyslexia. They are available on top of the standard student finance package and don’t have to be paid back.

Access Assessment Centres operate to the DSA QAG Quality Assurance Framework. If you require more information about this service level agreement please contact us.

Disabled Student Allowances are there to provide a level playing field for those with disability

Disabled Students’ Allowances are grants to help meet the extra course costs students can face as a direct result of a disability or specific learning difficulty. They are aimed at helping disabled people to study on an equal basis with other students. Eligible full-time, part-time and postgraduate students can apply for Disabled Students’ Allowances. The amount you get doesn’t depend on your household income. Disabled Students’ Allowances are paid on top of the standard student finance package, and don’t have to be paid back.

Eligibility

You can apply if you are doing:

• A full-time course that lasts at least one year (including a distance-learning course).
• A part-time course that lasts at least one year and doesn’t take more than twice as long to complete as an equivalent full-time course (including a distance-learning course).

What can a DSA Grant be used for?

Disabled Students’ Allowances can help pay for:

• Specialist equipment you need for studying – for example, computer software.
• A non-medical helper, such as a note-taker or reader.
• Extra travel costs you have to pay because of your disability.
• Other costs – for example, tapes or Braille paper.

Checking that you’re eligible for student finance

To apply for financial help through Disabled Students’ Allowances, both you and your course must meet some other conditions. It’s worth checking these before you make your application.

Follow this link from the DirectGov website for more information. Eligibility for student finance (general education and learning section)

Getting proof of your disability or specific learning difficulty

To put in an application, you will have to show proof of your disability.

If you have an impairment, medical condition, illness or a mental health condition, you will need to give medical proof of this – for example, a letter from a suitable medical professional.

If you have a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, you must give evidence in the form of a ‘diagnostic assessment’ from a psychologist or suitably qualified specialist teacher. If you have had a diagnostic assessment in the past, it may need to be updated.

You will have to pay for any tests to show your eligibility for Disabled Students’ Allowances. If you need a test but cannot afford to pay for it, you may be able to get financial help through your university or college’s Access to Learning Fund.

Who doesn’t qualify?

If you are eligible for a bursary from the NHS, you do not qualify for Disabled Students’ Allowances from Student Finance England or your local authority. You can, however, apply for equivalent help through the NHS bursary scheme. You also won’t qualify for Disabled Students’ Allowances from Student Finance England or your local authority if you’re a postgraduate student getting:

A research council bursary or award.

A social work bursary from the NHS Business Services Authority that includes equivalent support.

A bursary or award from your college or university that includes equivalent support.

You should contact the provider of your bursary or award for advice on any extra support you may be entitled to because of a disability.

If you would like more information, then contact your local DSA Assessment Centre. Information and contact details are available from the DSA-QAG website at www.dsa-qag.org.uk.

Contact Details

If you would like more information about the Disabled Students’ Allowance then you can contact us in the following ways:

By telephone: 01604 798072

By email: [email protected]