1. What support can I get through Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSA)?
DSA pay for support for eligible students with disabilities. It’s a grant, so you don’t need to pay it back. Support through DSA can include:
2. Am I eligible?
You are eligible for DSA, as an undergraduate or postgraduate, if you’ve qualified for a student loan from an UK student finance body.
For more information and to check your eligibility, please contact the student finance body of your home address.
Unfortunately, international students from outside the EU are not normally eligible for DSA. If you’re an EU student who has lived in the UK for five years, please check your eligibility.
3. What evidence do I need to apply?
If you have a Specific Learning Difference (SpLD), such as Dyslexia, Dyspraxia or ADHD, you will need:
LCDS may be able to fund new assessments for current students. Please contact Student Well-being for more information.
If you have an Autistic Spectrum Condition, mental or physical health condition, sensory impairment (or other type of disability) you will need:
4. I have already applied for DSA, what’s the next step?
Check if your application has been successful. You can find this information on your funding body’s online portal. You should also check your email inbox for updates. It can take up to three weeks for applications to be processed
Your funding body may have informed you that you need to book a ‘Study Needs Assessment’
Or
You may have been asked to provide additional evidence of your disability before your application can proceed. Please see “What evidence do I need to apply for DSA?”
5. I have been to my Study Needs Assessment, what’s the next step?
Search for your “Notification of Entitlement” letter (also referred to as a “DSA2” letter) in your funding body’s online portal. You should also check your email inbox for updates. If you cannot find this letter, please contact your funding body
Follow the instructions on the Notification of Entitlement/DSA2 letter to get your support in place. You may asked to:
Contact your supplier of one-to-one support (for example, mentoring or tutoring) to book your first session.
6. Where can I get more information?
You might find the following websites helpful: