Special needs that qualify for finance includes dyslexia or ADHD, anxiety or depression, physical disability for students using wheelchairs, crutches or special keyboards, visually or hearing impaired students, or students suffering from long-term conditions, such as cancer or HIV.

Access for Students assists full-time undergraduate, special needs students in Wales by helping them to attain the necessary finances and assistance to achieve qualifications, and to live a more fulfilled and independent life. This specialised company with well-trained, friendly staff, ready to assist these prospective students in an empathetic way, has a user-friendly website where students can easily access the necessary information to attain the DSA and the assessment processes, which is compulsory.

Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) in Wales supports students financially and can be attained as additional support, running concurrently with another student financing. This financial aid is awarded to students who are burdened with mental health problems, long-term illnesses or other disabilities. It can be used to finance study-related costs in the form of equipment, non-medical help, travel, photocopying and printing.

According to Lauren Gardener, a Director at Access for Students, “We have DSA Assessment Centres across Wales, the South West and the South East of England, fully operational from Monday to Friday between 9 am and 5 pm. After hours assessments can be arranged. Sessions are face-to-face or via video call. Students must meet the standard finance eligibility requirements to apply for Disabled Students’ Allowance. It is important to find out from the educational institution’s financial advisors if the chosen course qualifies for Disabled Students’ Allowance, and the situation regarding residence access and also whether the course has eligible student categories.”

The level of support and financial aid is determined by the need of the individual student and not by the household income. The DSA allowance does not have to be paid back and is therefore non-obligatory. Amounts between £25,000 and £30,000 are awarded per academic year, which should be able to cover the costs of equipment, non-medical helper, a travel allowance and general costs incurred, depending on the merits of the case.
Disabled Welchstudents, who qualify for a DSA under the Equality Act of 2010, will be granted assistance after assessment if they suffer from dyslexia or ADHD, anxiety or depression, a physical disability, need crutches or a wheelchair, are visual or hearing impaired or have cancer, heart disease or HIV.

Applications will be determined by the type, of course, the prospective student applies for and whether alternative finance applications are involved. Online applications are allowed for student finance of full-time undergraduate students.

After the application process has been completed, a needs assessment has to be done. The DSA will pay for the assessment, which must be booked once requested. After completion of the assessment, the need for special equipment and level of support will be determined and awarded. Funds will be deposited directly into the students’ bank accounts or will be paid to the service providers.

About Us:

The UK based Access for Students is an organisation assisting individuals with DSA (Disabled Students Allowance) related matters. Friendly and well-trained staff will assist with advice on how to obtain the correct paperwork and will assist individuals to reach their full potential with the help of the financial aid, obtained using DSA, covering study-related costs for students with mental health issues, long-term illness or other disabilities. Bookings for a DSA assessment can be done via the user-friendly Access for Students Webpage, by choosing a date and time and providing the necessary details. Access for Students has DSA Assessment Centres in Wales, the South West and the South East of England. For more information, please visit https://www.accessforstudents.co.uk.