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Disabled Student Allowance

Step by step guide to applying for a Disabled Students Allowance (DSA)

Q:  What is Disabled Student Allowance (DSA) and I am eligible to apply?

A:  You can apply for a DSA if you have a disability, ongoing medical condition or learning difficulty and as a result of this have extra costs that are directly related to your course.

The Allowance is paid by SAAS in Edinburgh (for students from Scotland), Student Finance England (if an English based student), Student Finance Wales (if a student based in Wales) and by Student Finance Northern Ireland (if a student is based in Northern Ireland).

Eligibility: You need to be:

    • a full time undergraduate studying for HNC, HND, a degree or equivalent
    • a full time postgraduate student studying for a full time post graduate course. (There are some exceptions to this support at this level. Contact Student Services for further information)
    • a part time degree student,  working to at least 50% of a full time Higher Education qualification.
  2. There are also Residence requirements to claiming a DSA. Again contact Student Services if you have any doubts about your eligibility, as a result of residency.
  3. You will also need to supply, evidence of your disability. This may take the form of a letter from a medical practitioner, or a statement from a specialised organisation (e.g. RNIB, RNID). In the case of a learning difficulty, a report from an Educational Psychologist (or similar)  or occupational health worker, etc. would normally be required.

NOTE: The DSA is not means tested.

Q:  What is the DSA and what does it cover?

A:  A DSA is divided into 3 parts:

  • Basic Allowance (sometimes referred to as 'Small items of equipment').  These are general costs related to your course and incurred as a result of your disability e.g. photocopying and other consumable expenses, Braille paper, etc. This allowance is claimed annually.
  • Equipment Allowance (Large items). This allowance is used to buy equipment needed to undertake your course and often involves computing equipment and software, a dictaphone and other technical aids. This claim is usually only made once for a course being undertaken and the equipment purchased under a DSA does remain the property of the student upon completion of the course.
  • Non Medical Personal Helpers Allowance. This pays for personal helpers e.g. notetakers, scribes, proof readers and also study skills support. It does not cover disability related expenditure that you would need even if you were not a student.

Q:  How do I apply for a DSA?

A:  This can be a lengthy process, so you should try to set things in motion as soon as you have a confirmed place to study. At any time, during this process, if you have anything you are unsure about, remember that the Disability Advisers will be only too happy to help and advise. The basic steps to claiming you DSA are:

  1. For new students starting Higher Education in 2010-2011:
    1. If you are normally resident in Scotland, contact SAAS in Edinburgh.  Their website is at http://www.saas.gov.uk/student_support/special_circumstances/dsa_eligibility.htm
    2. If you are normally resident in Northern Ireland, contact Student Finance NI. Their website at http://www.studentfinanceni.co.uk/portal/page?_pageid=54,1268397&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL
    3. If you are normally resident in England, contact Student Finance England.  You can do this via their website at http://www.direct.gov.uk/dsas or by telephone on 0845 300 5090.
    4. If you are normally resident in Wales, contact Student Finance Wales.  You can do this via their website www.studentfinancewales.co.uk or by telephone on 0845 602 8845.
  2. Inform the disability adviser of your intention to apply for a DSA. It is very likely that they will be required to sign forms or provide information to the funding authority.
  3. You will be required to send evidence of your disability (which should be about 2-2.5 years old) with the application. This may mean you require a more up to date report etc. and if this is so, the Disability Adviser can assist you with this.
  4. After the funding body has received this information and processed it, you will be asked to go for a Needs Assessment. This will provide the funding body with evidence that any equipment or help requested is both necessary and appropriate to your needs. This Needs Assessment can be carried out at an Access Centre. If the disability is dyslexia related, this Needs Assessment can now be carried out here, at St Andrews.
  5. A report from the Needs Assessment (itemising equipment and personal helper needs, together with the costs involved) will then be written and forwarded to Student Finance England (Student Finance Wales, SAAS or Student Finance NI). After due consideration, you will receive the go ahead to purchase the equipment etc. itemised in the Needs Assessment. SAAS students usually receive a cheque to purchase their equipment (IT services can help with this - again speak to the Disability Adviser). Other students can order their equipment and submit invoices directly to Student Finance England (or the supplier will do this). Again IT services can help with this process.
  6. Once your equipment is received, training outlined in the Needs Assessment can be carried out. If Non Medical Personal Helpers are required, contact the Disability Adviser who can organise this for you.
  7. At all times. Keep copies of all correspondence and receipts for claims under the Basic Allowance.

For further information on DSA you can visit the following websites (the University of St Andrews is not responsible for the content of external internet sites): 

Contact details

The ASC

(Advice and Support Centre)
79 North Street
St Andrews
Fife
KY16 9AL
Scotland, United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0)1334 (46)2020