A Disabled Student Allowance (DSA) is a fund to support and enable students who are limited by their medical condition to further their education. Those who qualify and have a disability that falls under the Equality Act 2010 that affects a student’s ability to study due to their disability such as mental health conditions, physically disabled, sensory disability or long-term health conditions can apply for the DSA grant.

If a student resides in England, they will need to apply to the Student Finance England and at the same time apply to make an online UCAS application. For NHS-funded courses, an application to NHS Student Bursaries for DSAs is required.

Access for Students can assist students during the DSA application process. If a student resides in Wales they will need to apply to the Student Finance Wales, in Scotland to apply to Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS), and for students in Northern Ireland, they will be required to apply to the Student Finance Northern Ireland which includes healthcare courses.

Once the student has decided to apply for a DSA they need to play an active role in the process of providing all necessary information. Access for Student is available in assisting the student to receive the funding of the DSA grant. Everything will be explained in the letter that will be sent from the Student Finance company where the application was sent.
“It is always a good idea to apply early for DSAs. There may be letters required or statements from a medical practitioner or the specialist in the specific field of the disability explaining the nature of the disability, and how it affects the student. Usually, the application for a DSA can be done before or during the main application to the chosen university or college,” said Lauren Gardener, Director, of Access for Students.

Should the student have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan it will support the nature of the diagnosis and provide an indication of where the student needs assistance.

It may be a good idea to meet with the university or college disability advisor who can provide helpful information and discuss the option of applying for a DSA. It is the educational institution’s responsibility to ensure non-medical help (NMH) such as readers, proof readers, practical and library support assistants.
Once an application has been finalised with all the correct documentation and evidence of the disability the Student Finance will contact the student in due time to confirm whether the DSA application was successful or not.

About us
Access for Students has assessment centres in Newport, South Wales and in the South West of the UK to assist disabled students to obtain a government allowance to further their higher education. The team of assessors will assess and provide advice to the student and work out what help will be needed to help them. The Disabled Student Allowance (DSA) fund support to provide assistance to cover any study-related costs due to mental health problems, long-term illness or any other disability. After completion of the needs assessment, the funding body (Student Finance Wales or England) will determine how the monetary support will be granted for the student to receive the much-needed DSA funding. Visit: https://www.accessforstudents.co.uk