What is Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)?
Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) is funding to support study related costs that might occur as a result of a disability. This might due to:
- a Specific Learning Difference (SpLD) – such as dyslexia, dyspraxia or AD(H)D
- a mental health condition
- sensory difficulty
- an on-going health condition
- a long term disability
Study Needs Assessment
As part of the DSA process you will be asked to attend a Study Needs Assessment.
You will receive a letter from your funding body asking you to book your needs assessment; the letter will contain information about how to do this.
Your DSA Needs Assessor will talk to you about the content of your course, the impact of your disability, and your individual study needs. DSA may fund assistive software or ergonomic equipment, as well as non-medical help such as a study support tutor or mentor. This will be discussed with you at your assessment.
What support is available?
Your DSA entitlement letter will detail the support that your DSA funder is going to provide.
Depending on the nature of your disability, support might include:
- assistive software such as screen-reading, speech-to-text, or mind mapping software
- equipment such as a laptop
- ergonomic equipment such as a desk, chair, computer equipment
- one-to-one study skills support and/or specialist mentoring
- a general allowance to contribute towards printing or photocopying costs and materials
- contribution towards travel to campus.
If you are recommended a laptop through DSA, you will need to make a £200 contribution towards this. You can apply for support with this via LSBU's Retention Fund. Applications are assessed on individual circumstance and you will need to provide a copy of your DSA2 confirmation letter and recent bank statement - this is the link to apply for financial support.
How can I apply for DSA?
For information about how to apply for DSA, visit the FAQ Which Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) form should I complete?
