Information on the DSA

What is the DSA

The Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) funding is available for UK students with disabilities (including dyslexia) who are undertaking full time courses in Higher Education. Part-time students, studying on a designated part-time higher education course are also eligible for DSAs, as are post graduate students. Nursing and Midwifery Diploma students are also eligible – there is specific information for Healthcare students. Open University students also have their own scheme. There is a very similar scheme in Scotland. The award is intended to cover any extra costs or expenses a student may have to meet whilst studying, that arise because of a disability. DSAs do not depend on your or your parents' income and there is no upper age limit.

1. Specialist equipment allowance: up to £5,161 for the whole of your course – the same for part-time students.
2. Non-medical helper's allowance: up to £20,520 per year of your course – up to £15,390 for part-time students.
3. General disabled student's allowance: up to £1,724 for each academic year – up to £1,293 for part-time students.

These rates are the maximum you can get. They are meant to cover people with a high level of need. You will only get enough money from the DSA to cover the cost of the equipment or support that the LA or funding body agrees that you need.

Who to contact if you think you are eligible:

You should first have a look at the government's Disabled Students' Allowance web page where you can also download Bridging the Gap (320KB PDF). This leaflet gives full details of the eligibility criteria and how to apply and is the definitive source of information on the DSA.

Funding bodies

• If you live in England – Student Finance England (SFE)
• If you live in Scotland – Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS)
• If you live in Wales – Your local authority, you can find their details by contacting Student Finance Wales
• If you live in Northern Ireland – Your local Education and Library Board (ELB), you can find their details by contacting Student Finance NI

Evidence to support your application

You need to show your Funder recent evidence of your disability (typically an Educational Psychologist's report or recent update). You will then normally go to an Assessment Centre or Access Centre who will assess your needs for equipment, software and support, taking into account the needs of your specific course. There is a Quality Assurance Framework for DSA assessment centres and assessors and the DSA Quality Assurance Group has a list of members that have registered and which you can use.

On receipt of you approval letter you need to place the order your approved supplier.

Once they have received the relevant paperwork they will contact you to arrange delivery and, if necessary, arrange to set up and install your equipment.

If you wish to upgrade any item that you have been awarded you may discuss your requirements with the supplier and pay any additional cost direct to them prior to delivery.

How to order your DSA equipment from iansyst

Send a copy of you Award Letter to us either by:

• Post:

  iansyst Ltd
  Fen House,
  Fen Road,
  Cambridge,
  CB4 1UN

• Email:

  cop@iansyst.co.uk

• Fax:

  01223 420 101

Once your order has been placed and confirmed follow these simple steps:

1. If you wish to upgrade the equipment call our sales department on 01223 420 209 to discuss your options.
2. If you need to make a payment to us because you have been given your DSA award directly or you are upgrading contact our sales department on 01223 420 209. The ways you can pay are:
   • Debit Card (for quickest turnaround)
   • Credit Card
   • Bank Transfer
   • Cheque (which will need to clear before we dispatch equipment)
3. To arrange delivery, call our delivery department on 01223 436 697 and state your order number which can be found on the top right hand corner of the order.
   
   Be ready to provide us with the information about you that we may need.
   • Name of Assessment Centre and assessor (if possible)
   • A permanent contact address to register any warranties with us
   • A valid email address (if you have one at present)
   • Your contact phone numbers – both home and mobile
   • Voluntary Information – it can help us to provide a better service if we know the nature of your disability
4. Book a time when you will be available for delivery of the equipment. (If you are having an onsite installation, please let us know the parking situation.) Book your first training session, if training has been ordered.