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Disabled Student's Allowance (DSA)
The DSAs are available to help you pay for extra costs you may incur on your course because of a disability. You can only claim for costs related to your disability if they are directly connected with your studies. There are four components of the DSAs.
Rates from 2010-11
Maximum DSA for non-medical helpers will increase from 12,420 to £20,520 (full time students) and from £9,315 to £15,390 for part time students.
Maximum DSA for PG students will increase from £5,915 to £10,260
Maximums for full-time and part-time higher education students: 2010-11
Type of allowance |
Full-time students |
Part-time students |
|---|---|---|
Specialist equipment |
£5,161 for entire course |
£5,161 for entire course |
Non-medical helper |
£20,520 a year |
£15,390 a year (depends on intensity of course) |
General Disabled Students' Allowances |
£1,724 a year |
£1,293 a year (depends on intensity of course) |
Allowances for postgraduate students
Postgraduate students (including Open University students and other distance learners) can apply for a single allowance to cover all costs.
The maximum allowance for 2010-11 is £10,260.
For up-to-date information on Disabled Students allowance please click here
Eligibility
Full or part time, undergraduate and postgraduate students who would normally be eligible for tuition fee support from:
Student Finance England
a local education authority in England and Wales;
a local Education and Library Board in Northern Ireland;
the Student Awards Agency for Scotland; or funded by research councils, the General Social Care Council or other funding bodies.
You should take professional advice about your equipment and personal support needs. This could be from:
• Your Local Education Authority
• Lancaster University or another Assessment Centre
• RNIB
• A qualified ergonomist
• an Educational Psychologist
Eligibility is not affected by age.
The cost of an assessment at an Assessment Centre will usually be met by your local education authority or other funder from Disabled Students Allowances.
Check with your local Education Department whether you will be eligible for DSA and what procedures you should follow to apply. You will probably be required to provide evidence which may include:
• A needs assessment report
• A report following a diagnostic assessment for dyslexia
• Medical evidence
• A letter of support from the Disabilities Service confirming the suitability of equipment and services requested.
Students are responsible for providing appropriate evidence, or covering the cost of an initial diagnostic assessment for dyslexia. If you are in financial difficulties, you can apply for help to cover the cost of an Educational Psychologist's assessment from the University's Access to Learning Fund. The University may pay the cost of any subsequent reassessment and you will then (with our support) be asked to reclaim the cost from the Disabled Students' Allowances. Contact the Disabilities Service for further advice.
If you have not heard from your Education Department or funding body after a few weeks, contact them to find out what is happening
The process of obtaining assessments, Disabled Students' Allowances and equipment is a slow one, especially in the periods between August and December when staff in Education Departments, Universities and equipment suppliers are dealing with very large numbers of enquiries. It may take several months between your initial application and the arrival of equipment. Make sure you are clear about what stage your application has reached and take an active part in following up any unexpected delays.
We are always happy to help and advise with any of the stages listed above. There may be times when it is quicker or easier for us to contact your Education Department on your behalf. In certain circumstances it may be possible to borrow some equipment on a temporary basis.
For more information check out the Bridging the Gap booklet at Student Finance Direct
To make appointments please contact us.
