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Bridging the Gap: a guide to theDisabled Students' Allowances(DSAs) in higher educationGuide for 2007/2008

bridging the gap_0708_26jan.qxp 08/02/2007 11:28

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Contents Page

1 What is this guide about? 4

2 What are the Disabled Students' Allowances for? 6

3 Am I eligible? 6

4 Do I have to tell my college or university about my disability or specific learning difficulty? 8

5 How do I show that I am eligible? 10

6 How and to whom do I apply? 11

7 When do I apply? 13

8 How will payments be made? 13

9 Do DSAs depend on my income? 14

10 What do the DSAs cover? 14

11 How can I find out what I will need? 16

12 How soon can I have a DSA needs assessment done? 17

13 Can I receive equipment before my course begins? 18

14 What happens to the equipment when my course ends? 18

15 Will I have to repay my DSAs if I leave my course early? 18

16 What if I transfer to another course and need different equipment? 18

17 What if I have to repeat part of my course? 19

18 What do I do if my application is turned down or I am not satisfied? 19

19 What other financial support is available? 19

20 Where can I get more information? 24

21 Appendix 1 - conditions for receiving student finance including DSAs 28

22 Appendix 2 - DSA Quality Assurance Group 29

23 Appendix 3 - Specific Learning Difficulties Group 29

24 Appendix 4 - support from other organisations 31

25 Index 33


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Important InformationIf you want to apply for DisabledStudents' Allowances you should doso as early as possible before yourcourse starts so that arrangementscan be made for any specialsupport you need to be assessedand ready in time for the start ofyour course.

1 What is this guide about?This guide provides informationabout Disabled Students'Allowances (DSAs) for current andprospective students in highereducation. It covers:

• full-time and part-timeundergraduate students (includingOpen University and otherdistance-learning students); and

• full-time and part-timepostgraduate students (includingOpen University and otherdistance-learners).

This guide explains:• how to apply;• what costs DSAs can help with;

and • who can help you with your

application.

The guide is intended for studentsand prospective students whosehomes are in England. Appendix 1on page 28 explains where you canget more information about theconditions for receiving studentfinance including DSAs.

Broadly similar arrangements applyif you live in Scotland, Wales orNorthern Ireland. Contact details forScotland, Wales and NorthernIreland are on page 26.

This guide is not intended for:

• undergraduate and postgraduatestudents who will get an NHSbursary for their course (seeappendix 4);

• postgraduate students receiving abursary or award from a researchcouncil, the NHS or the GeneralSocial Care Council (seeappendix 4); or

• postgraduate students receivingsupport equivalent to DSAs fromtheir university or college (seeappendix 4).

DSAs can be awarded to full-timeand part-time undergraduatestudents and certain full-time andpart-time postgraduate studentswho can show that they have adisability, mental-health condition or specific learning difficulty whichaffects their ability to study. Yourlocal authority will normally beresponsible for assessing whetheryou are eligible for DSAs and howmuch you will receive, but pleasecheck if your local authority istesting new student financearrangements (see 'Importantinformation for students living inEngland' on page 5).


The Student Loans Company (SLC)will then pay you DSAs on behalf ofyour local authority. If you are anOpen University (OU) student, theOU will assess your application andpay DSAs.

The information here is for guidanceonly and does not cover allcircumstances. If you need morehelp, speak to your local authority(or the SLC or OU) or the disabilityadviser at your university or college.

You can get large print, Braille andaudio-tape versions of this guide byphoning our free order line on 0800 731 9133, or textphone 0800 328 8988. (All our forms,guides and leaflets about higher education student finance areavailable in these formats.) You can also download this guide from our website atwww.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance.

Important information forstudents living in EnglandIf you usually live in England, thelocal authority whose area younormally live in will usually consideryour application, even if you studyoutside that area.

But, if you live in one of the localauthority areas listed below, you willneed to phone the SLC's CustomerSupport Office on 0845 607 7577 to apply for support. Your localauthority will not be involved in theapplication process for this year andyou will need to contact the SLC ifyou have any questions.

• London Borough of Brent• Darlington Borough Council• London Borough of Hackney• Hartlepool Borough Council• North Yorkshire County Council • Redcar & Cleveland Borough

Council• South Tyneside Council • Southend-on-Sea Borough

Council • London Borough of Southwark • Stockton-on-Tees Borough

Council • York City Council

Your entitlement to support willnot be affected by this change.

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2 What are the DisabledStudents' Allowances for?

The DSAs help pay for extra costsyou may have to pay when studyingyour course, as a direct result ofyour disability, mental-healthcondition or specific learningdifficulty. The allowances can helpwith the cost of a non-medicalpersonal helper, items of specialistequipment, travel and other course-related costs.

3 Am I eligible?Full-time and part-timeundergraduate studentsYou are eligible to apply for DSAs if:

• you are studying an eligible full-time undergraduate course(including a distance-learningcourse) and you are personallyeligible for maintenance supportfor that course; or

• you are studying an eligible part-time undergraduate course,(including a distance-learningcourse) and are personallyeligible for part-time support. (Apart-time course would have tolast for at least one year andmust not take more than twice aslong to complete as an equivalentfull-time course.)

Appendix 1 on page 28 explainswhere you can get more informationabout the conditions for receivingstudent finance including DSAs.

You may be eligible to apply forDSAs if you are studying a part-timecourse of initial teacher training(ITT). Your local authority (or theSLC or OU) will be able to give you more details about this.PGCE courses attract support,including DSAs, as if they wereundergraduate courses rather thanpostgraduate courses.

You are not eligible for DSAs if:

• you are an EU student and areeligible only for support with yourfees; or

• you are a sandwich-coursestudent on a full-year paidplacement.

Postgraduate studentsYou are eligible to apply for a DSA if you study a recognised taught orresearch postgraduate course(including a distance-learningcourse) and meet the personaleligibility conditions. Appendix 1 onpage 28 explains where you can getmore information about theconditions for receiving studentfinance including DSAs.

All postgraduate courses should lastfor at least one year and lead to amaster's degree, doctorate,postgraduate diploma or certificate,for which the entry requirement is atleast a first degree or equivalent.Part-time courses will need to takeno longer than twice the time of anequivalent full-time course in orderto be eligible.


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Some postgraduate students willnot qualify for a DSA from theirlocal authority (or the SLC or OU).If you are receiving a bursary oraward from a research council, theNHS, the General Social CareCouncil or if your university orcollege provides support that isequivalent to DSAs, you will not beeligible for a postgraduate DSA fromyour local authority (or the SLC orOU). You should contact theprovider of your bursary or award foradvice on any extra support youmay be entitled to because of yourdisability (see appendix 4 on page31 in this guide).

Students on PGCE courses willcontinue to be eligible for the DSAsawarded to undergraduate studentsand, as a result, will not be eligiblefor a postgraduate DSA.

After completing an undergraduatecourse of study, if you then go onimmediately to postgraduate study,any amount you received throughthe DSA for specialist equipment asan undergraduate will be taken intoconsideration.

Open University studentsTo be eligible for DSAs, you must beregistered for an OU undergraduateor postgraduate level course thatlasts for at least one year and doesnot take more than twice as long tocomplete as an equivalent full-timecourse. This will usually mean thatthe course amounts to 60 creditpoints each year.

Appendix 1 on page 28 explainswhere you can get more informationabout the conditions for receivingstudent finance including DSAs.

Students undertaking more thanone courseYou cannot, at any one time, haveDSAs for more than one course.

Previous studyIf you are starting your course in2007/2008, previous study on acourse of higher education will notaffect your eligibility for DSAs, evenif you received financial support forit. If you are already on a course,and have received public financialsupport for a previous course, youshould still be eligible for DSAs.However, if you received anyspecialist equipment through theDSAs for a previous course, this willbe taken into consideration. Yourlocal authority (or the SLC or OU)will be able to give you more advice.

AgeEligibility for DSAs is not affectedby an age limit, and if you areaged 60 or over you may be eligiblefor them even if, as a full-timestudent, you are not eligible for astudent maintenance loan.


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4 Do I have to tell my universityor college about my disabilityor specific learning difficulty?No, but it will help you with yourapplication if you contact thedisability adviser at your universityor college. He or she may be able toadvise you and give you moreinformation about the help theuniversity or college can provide.There is more information about therole of the disability adviser onpages 9 and 10. If you are studyingpart-time and want to apply forDSAs, you will also need to askyour university or college to certifythat your rate of study is at least50% of an equivalent full-timecourse.

If you register for a course as anOU student and want to apply forDSAs, you will have to tell the OUabout your disability or specificlearning difficulty in order toautomatically receive an applicationform from the OU's DSA Office. If,when you register for a course, youdo not want to tell the OU aboutyour disability or specific learningdifficulty, you will have to contact theOU's DSA office direct to ask for anapplication form.

Disability Discrimination Act 1995(DDA 1995)Some students with disabilities donot want to reveal their disability,mental-health condition or specificlearning difficulty for fear ofdiscrimination. In April 2005, theDisability Discrimination Act 2005was passed, making amendmentsto the DDA 1995. The 2005 Actintroduces a duty for the publicsector to promote disability equality(the Disability Equality Duty).

The duty requires public authorities(which will include most universitiesand colleges), when carrying out theirfunctions, to consider the need to:

• promote equal opportunitiesbetween disabled people andother people;

• get rid of discrimination that isunlawful under the DisabilityDiscrimination Act 1995;

• get rid of harassment that isrelated to people's disabilities;

• promote positive attitudes towardsdisabled people;

• encourage disabled people totake part in public life;

• take steps to take account ofdisabled peoples' disabilities,even if that involves giving themmore favourable treatment.


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These responsibilities are definedas the general duty to promotedisability equality. Universities andcolleges also have specific duties,which provide a clear framework formeeting the general duty. Central tothe specific duties is the need foruniversities and colleges to haveproduced a Disability EqualityScheme by December 2006.

Under the DDA 1995 (as amendedby the Special Educational Needsand Disability Act 2001) it is alsounlawful for universities andcolleges to discriminate againstdisabled students by treating themless favourably in their admissionspolicies or the services theyprovide. Under the DDA 1995,universities and colleges must makereasonable adjustments so disabledstudents are not at an unreasonabledisadvantage compared to studentswho are not disabled. The DisabilityRights Commission should be ableto answer more detailed questionsabout the DDA 1995.

Your local authority (or the SLC orOU) will keep any information aboutyour disability, mental-healthcondition or specific learningdifficulty confidential, but if youchoose not to tell your university orcollege about your disability, thenecessary reasonable adjustmentsmay not be made. You can tell theuniversity's or college's disabilityadviser about your disability incomplete confidence, to make surethey get you the support you need.

If you are still worried aboutrevealing your disability, you couldcontact Skill: National Bureau forStudents with Disabilities, or adisability organisation thatspecialises in your particulardisability, mental-health condition or specific learning difficulty. You can find contact details for Skill andthe Disability Rights Commission onpages 27 and 28.

The role of disability advisers Disability advisers are available atmost higher education institutionsand play an important role in theDSA process. The role of disabilityadvisers may vary betweeninstitutions but, generally, they will:

• help students with their DSAapplications;

• offer disabled students advice onother sources of funding andsupport that may be available;

• arrange DSA needs assessmentson behalf of students;

• advise on the particular needsthat may arise from specificcourses;

• help put in place the support thatis recommended in the DSAneeds assessment report;

• explain and give advice onassessments, called diagnosticassessment reports, of specificlearning difficulties such asdyslexia;

• explain and give advice on DSAneeds assessment reports;


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• co-ordinate the network ofsupport workers;

• work with accommodationservices, social services, localauthorities (or the SLC) andacademic departments;

• make recommendations for theacademic department in relationto students, for example, specialexam arrangements;

• supervise and arrange training forsupport workers;

• research, develop and help putinto practice institutions' policiesfor exams, physical access andfieldwork; and

• develop and put into practicedisability elements of variousinstitutional strategies.

Without the involvement of adisability adviser, the process ofgetting DSA support might be moredifficult. We recommend that thedisability adviser is sent a copy ofyour DSA needs assessment report(see 'How can I find out what I willneed?' on page 16). Your DSAneeds assessor will only send thedisability adviser a copy of thereport if they have your permission,in writing. Your disability advisershould not normally carry out yourDSA needs assessment.

5 How do I show that I ameligible?

Your local authority (or the SLC orOU) must consider all cases wheredisabled students face extra coststo attend their course because oftheir disability. If you have a physicaldisability, a mental-health conditionor a specific learning difficulty suchas dyslexia, you may qualify.

If your condition has beendocumented at an earlier stage,your eligibility for DSAs can beeasily proved. If you are physicallydisabled, or have a mental-healthcondition, you will need to providemedical proof of this, such as aletter from your doctor or specialist.A previous assessment of a specificlearning difficulty, such as dyslexia,may need to be updated (pleasesee the next section).

If you have more than one medicalcondition, you should provideevidence for all of them. If you donot provide evidence, this may delayyour application for DSAs.


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Specific learning difficulty (suchas dyslexia or dyspraxia) If you have a specific learningdifficulty, your local authority (or theSLC or OU) will need evidence ofthis in the form of an assessment,called a diagnostic assessment,from a psychologist or suitablyqualified specialist teacher.However, any diagnosticassessment they provide must meetthe criteria set out in appendix 3(page 29). When students with aspecific learning difficulty apply forDSAs, it is recommended that localauthorities (or the SLC or OU)accept a full diagnostic assessmentthat has been carried out since theywere 16. Local authorities (or theSLC or OU) may ask for an updateof a previous diagnostic assessmentcarried out before the age of 16 tosee what the likely effect of yourspecific learning difficulty will be onthe skills you need for highereducation.

Your local authority (or the SLC orOU) may ask you to have anindependent diagnostic assessmentto establish your specific learningdifficulty and eligibility for DSAs. Theuniversity or college disabilityadviser may be able to help youarrange an updated, or new,assessment.

Your local authority (or the SLC orOU) cannot meet the costs ofdiagnosing your disability forestablishing your eligibility forDSAs. Ask your local authority (orthe SLC or OU) what evidence ofyour disability they will need beforeyou send in your application. If youneed a test to establish youreligibility for DSAs, but cannot affordthe fee, you can apply to youruniversity or college for help inmeeting the costs through theAccess to Learning Fund (see page20). The university's or college'sdisability adviser may be able tohelp you with this.

6 How and to whom do I apply?Full-time undergraduatesIf you are entering higher educationfor the first time in 2007/2008 andare applying for financial support,you will find that the applicationform asks if you want to apply forDSAs. You can apply on paper(using form PN1 if you are a newstudent, or form PR1 if you are acontinuing student) or on-line atwww.studentfinancedirect.co.uk.

You can get copies of form PNI and PR1 from your local authority(or the SLC) or by phoning our freeorder line on 0800 731 9133, ortextphone 0800 328 8988. You canget large print, Braille and audio-tape versions free of charge byphoning our order line. You can also download these forms from our website at


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www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance.

If you are applying using a paperform, please tick that you want toapply for DSAs and give details ofyour disability, mental-healthcondition, or specific learningdifficulty.

Many local authorities have anamed officer who deals withapplications for DSAs. You maycontact your local authority (or theSLC) before you send in yourapplication to find out if there is anamed officer who you can send itto and discuss the DSA processwith. Your local authority (or theSLC) will be able to offer you adviceabout the DSAs, even if they do nothave a named officer dealing withDSA applications. Your localauthority (or the SLC) will needevidence of your disability, mental-health condition or specific learningdifficulty, as referred to in section 5on page 10. The process of gettingDSA support will be made quickerand easier if you can send evidenceof your disability with the PN1 orPR1 application form. However, youshould not delay sending a filled-inPN1 or PR1 application form if youdon't have evidence availablestraightaway. You can always sendevidence of your disability at a laterdate. If you fill in the on-lineapplication form, we will always askyou to provide this evidenceafterwards.

Once your local authority (or theSLC) has confirmed your eligibilityfor DSAs, they will then ask you tohave a DSA needs assessmentcarried out so that the help youneed on your course can beidentified and arranged (see section11 on page 16). Following your DSAneeds assessment, your localauthority (or the SLC) will let youknow the level of help you can havefrom DSAs. If you are not sureabout your entitlement, discuss itwith your local authority (or theSLC).

Part-time undergraduatesIf you are a part-time student andwant to apply for DSAs, you shouldask your local authority (or the SLC)to send you the DSA applicationform for part-time undergraduatestudents. They can arrange for alarge print, Braille or audio-tapeversion of the form to be sent to youif you need it. You can alsodownload the form from our websiteat www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance.

Undergraduates studying highereducation courses at furthereducation collegesIf you are studying a highereducation course within a furthereducation college, you could beentitled to support through the DSAscheme. If you want to apply forDSAs, you should contact theDisability Service at the collegewhere you are studying. This maybe known as Learning Support,Study Advice or as the LearnerSupport Service in your college.


The staff member responsible forsupporting students with a disabilityor specific learning difficulty in yourcollege should be able to give youhelp with, and advice on, theprocess of applying for DSAs. Thisperson may be called a DisabilityCo-ordinator, Learning Support Co-ordinator or Additional LearnerSupport Co-ordinator.

If you do not want to apply for DSAsthrough your further educationcollege, your local authority or theDisability Advisor at the universityproviding the higher-educationcourse will be able to give youadvice on how to apply for DSAs.

PostgraduatesIf you are a postgraduate student,you should ask your local authority(or the SLC) to send you the DSAapplication form for postgraduatestudents. They can arrange for alarge print, Braille or audio-tapeversion of the form to be sent to you if you need it. You can alsodownload the form from our websiteat www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance.

Open University studentsIf, when you register for anundergraduate or postgraduatecourse, you have told the OpenUniversity that you have a disability,mental health condition or specificlearning difficulty, the OU's DSAOffice will automatically send you allthe information you need to applyfor DSAs.

If, when you register for a course,you do not tell the OU about yourdisability, mental health condition orspecific learning difficulty, you willhave to ask the OU's DSA Office atWalton Hall for a DSA applicationform. You will need to send yourfilled-in form, and any necessary orrelevant documents, back to theOpen University's DSA Office (seepage 27 for contact details).

7 When do I apply?Apply as soon as you can beforeyour course starts in order toreceive the support you needpromptly. However, you can applyfor DSAs at any stage of yourcourse.

8 How will payments be made?If your application is successful,your local authority (or the SLC orOU) will tell you the amount of helpyou can have from the DSAs. TheSLC will make DSA payments eitherto you, into your bank account, ordirectly to the supplier of equipmentor services.

We recommend that the SLC or OUpay the supplier of equipment, youruniversity or college, or your non-medical helper, direct. However, youwill have to agree to this.

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Your DSA assessor or localauthority (or the SLC or OU) mayrecommend that you use aparticular supplier. These supplierswill normally offer an extendedwarranty to cover the whole of yourcourse and a very thorough after-sales service.

We expect that they will be able to:• supply all or most of the

equipment;• set up any equipment; and • install all the recommended

software.

9 Do DSAs depend on myincome?No, DSAs do not depend on yourincome or the income of your family.

10 What do the DSAs cover?DSAs are not paid as a set amount.Your local authority (or the SLC orOU) will find out what you need andhow much it will cost, usually byasking that you have a DSA needsassessment. You will only getenough money from the DSAs tocover the cost of the equipment orsupport you need because of yourdisability. The amount of DSAs youreceive will depend on the DSAneeds assessment. If you are apart-time student, you will have toget certification from your universityor college that your rate of study isat least 50% of a full-time course inorder to be eligible, and to work outthe rate of the non-medical helpersand general allowances.

However, there is a limit to theamount of help you can get fromthe DSAs. The rates shown beloware the maximum you can get.They are meant to support peoplewith a high level of need, so mostpeople will get less than themaximum.

The rates of allowances for2007/2008 (2008 for OU students)are as follows.

For full-time undergraduatestudents • Specialist equipment allowance -

up to £4,905 for the whole of yourcourse.

• Non-medical helper's allowance -up to £12,420 a year.

• General Disabled Students'Allowance - up to £1,640 a year.

• Reasonable spending on extratravel costs (see page 16 fordetails on travel costs).

For part-time undergraduatestudents • Specialist equipment allowance -

up to £4,905 for the whole of yourcourse.

• Non-medical helper's allowance -as a percentage of the full-timerate, according to the workload ofa part-time course, up to £9,315 a year. For example, for a studentstudying:50% of a full-time course -up to £6,210 a year; or60% of a full-time course - up to £7,452 a year.


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• General Disabled Students'Allowance as a percentage ofthe full-time rate in the same wayas the non-medical helper'sallowance, to a maximum of£1,230 a year.

• Reasonable spending on extratravel costs (see page 16 fordetails on travel costs).

For full-time and part-timepostgraduate students There is one allowance to meet allcosts of up to £5,915 a year for bothfull-time and part-time postgraduatestudents. You can use this forspecialist equipment, non-medicalpersonal helpers, extra travel costsor other course-related costs. Theamount of DSA you receive willdepend on the DSA needsassessment.

Specialist equipment allowanceThis allowance is to help you buyany items of equipment you mayneed. You can also use it to pay forany repair, technical support,insurance or extended warrantycosts arising from owning thatequipment. We recommend thatyou insure your specialistequipment, and you can use yourDSAs to pay the extra insurancepremiums. Your local authority (orthe SLC or OU) can also reimbursecosts you have to pay to rent, ratherthan buy, items of equipment if thisis more economical.

You can apply for the specialistequipment allowance at any timeduring your course. The DSA needsassessment report may advise thatyou get some initial training in usingany equipment that isrecommended. The cost of thistraining would come from your non-medical helper's part of theDSAs. You should note that if youhave a support contract or warrantywith the supplier of your equipment,it might not be honoured if acomputer you have received failsbecause you have loaded extrasoftware that has not beenrecommended in the DSA needsassessment report.

If you apply for help towards theend of your course, you may still beable to get a new piece ofequipment if there is evidence ofneed, but your local authority (or the SLC or OU) may ask you toconsider if there are moreeconomical alternatives to buyingequipment. For example, you couldrent or hire equipment from asupplier or borrow it from youruniversity or college. Non-IToptions, such as human support,may be more effective when only afew weeks of the course are left.


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Non-medical helper’s allowanceThis allowance may provide for anyhelpers, such as readers, sign-language interpreters, note-takers and other non-medicalassistants you need to benefit fullyfrom your course. DSAs are notmeant to help with disability-relatedspending which you would have topay, whether you were followingyour course or not. Your local socialservices department may help youwith these personal costs.

If you have a specific learningdifficulty such as dyslexia, you couldreceive funds from your localauthority (or the SLC or OU) underthis allowance. You can use this topay for tuition in study skills to helpyou overcome problems which arisefrom your dyslexia if this has beenrecommended in a DSA needsassessment carried out by asuitably qualified person. Tuition instudy skills should be provided byspecialist tutors, who may beavailable at your college oruniversity, although you are entitledto arrange another provider if that ismore appropriate. You cannot usethe allowance to pay for extra tuitionin subjects which are part of yourcourse.

General Allowance This allowance may be paid towardsother disability-related spending. Youcan use it to buy items such astapes and Braille paper, or to top up the other two allowances, ifnecessary.

Travel costs If you have to pay extra travel coststo attend your university or collegebecause of your disability, your localauthority (or the SLC or OU) maybe able to help with them. You willnot normally be eligible for help witheveryday travel costs which anystudent would expect to have. Yourlocal authority (or the SLC or OU)can give you more advice.

11 How can I find out what I will need?Your local authority (or the SLC orOU) will ask you to have a DSAneeds assessment carried out. Thisis so that your particular needs canbe matched with those of yourproposed course so that you canget the help that you will need.

The DSA needs assessment will becarried out by a person withspecialist experience at anindependent assessment centre, orat a centre within your college oruniversity. If you need help withtravel costs to the DSA needsassessment, you should ask yourlocal authority (or the SLC or OU)whether they can help as this can bepaid from the general DSA.


You should not arrange for a DSAneeds assessment without firstconfirming with your local authority(or the SLC or OU) that they agreefor you to do so, and that theyapprove of your choice ofassessment centre. The localauthority (or the SLC or OU) willoften have their own preferredsource (see appendix 2 on page 29).

The fee that assessors charge forcarrying out a DSA needsassessment may be paid from theDSAs. You will receive a report forthis to help your local authority (orthe SLC or OU) assess yourentitlement. We strongly advise thatyour university or college, especiallyif it employs a disability adviser,should be involved in your DSAapplication and should see thereport and its recommendations.This will help to make sure you getthe support you need.

A DSA needs assessment shouldidentify the types of equipment andother support you will need, howmuch it will cost and where to get itfrom. However, any support that isrecommended will need to beagreed by your local authority (orthe SLC or OU). The report shouldalso identify any training you mightneed to make best use of theequipment recommended. You canalso use the report as supportingevidence in establishing specialexamination arrangements whenyou are on your course.

If later on in your course yourdisability becomes more severe, youcan apply to have another DSAneeds assessment carried out toidentify any extra support you mightneed.

12 How soon can I have a DSA needs assessment done?Once your local authority (or theSLC or OU) has established youreligibility for student support andyou have provided supportingevidence of your disability orspecific learning difficulty from anappropriate specialist, a DSA needsassessment can be arranged wellbefore the start of term, and evenbefore you have a confirmed placeat a university or college.

Ask your local authority (or the SLCor OU) for more information. Youmay then need a top-upassessment when you start yourcourse to make sure that theparticular needs you have on yourcourse are met. Students who arealready on a course can apply atany time.

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13 Can I receive equipmentbefore my course begins?Possibly. Once your local authority(or the SLC or OU) has establishedthat you are eligible for DSAs, it canpay for items of special equipmentrecommended in a DSA needsassessment report shortly beforethe start of your course so that youmay use them from the verybeginning of your studies. However,your local authority (or the SLC orOU) will ask for evidence that youhave been accepted on your coursebefore they will consider doing so.If you do not go on the course, youmust return any equipment youhave received to your supplier. Ifyou do not or cannot do this, youmay have to pay the cost of theequipment.

14 What happens to theequipment when my courseends?All equipment bought with DSAs is,and will stay, your property. At theend of your course you may decideto offer the equipment to youruniversity or college, or to your localauthority (or the SLC or OU), forother students to use. However, ifyou are intending to study anothercourse (for example, an 'end-on' orpostgraduate course) any previousequipment you have received will betaken into account when yourapplication for support isconsidered.

15 Will I have to repay my DSAsif I leave my course early?Possibly. Your local authority (or theSLC or OU) may have to recoversome or all of your DSAs if youwithdraw from your course. Theyshould only ask you to return moneyyou have received for support thatyou have not yet bought or used.

16 What if I transfer to anothercourse and need differentequipment?Once you have received themaximum special equipmentallowance from your local authority(or the SLC or OU), you cannotreceive any further specialequipment allowance. If you havenot used up all your specialequipment allowance, the remainingamount will be available for yoursecond course, if you need it. Youwill still be eligible for the otherallowances and travel costs on yournew course. Remember, you maynot yet have been given themaximum equipment allowance oryou might be able to top it up fromthe general allowance on your newcourse.


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17 What if I have to repeat partof my course?Your local authority (or the SLC orOU) may be able to continuemaking payments of your DSAs ifyou have to repeat periods of studyor you need extended study.

18 What do I do if myapplication is turned down or I am not satisfied?If your local authority (or the SLC orOU) turns down your application forDSAs, find out their reasons. If youdo not agree with their decision, askthem to review your case.

If you give your local authority (orthe SLC or OU) all the informationthey ask for and meet theirdeadlines, you have a right toexpect a prompt and efficientassessment of your claim. If you arehappy with the way the localauthority (or the SLC or OU) hasdealt with your application (theyhave been efficient and polite andso on) but feel that the wrongdecision has been reached in yourcase, ask the local authority (or theSLC or OU) to give you informationon how to appeal. Your university'sor college's disability adviser,Student Services Department orStudents' Union may help you withan appeal.

If you are unhappy with the way inwhich you have been dealt with, askthe local authority (or the SLC orOU) to give you details of theirsystem for dealing with complaints.

19 What other financial supportis available?The financial support available isexplained in the followingpublications.

Information about highereducation student finance - getthe DfES guide 'A Guide to financialsupport for higher educationstudents in 2007/08'(referenceS/FSHE/V7).

Help for full-time undergraduatestudents with children or adultdependants - get the DfES guide'Childcare Grant and other supportfor full-time student parents inhigher education' (referenceS/CCGB/V7).

Information about student loans -get the DfES guide 'Student Loans -a guide to terms and conditions'(reference S/SLTC/V7).

Information about help for part-time undergraduate students - getthe DfES guide 'A guide to financialsupport for part time students inhigher education' (referenceS/FSPT/V7).

You can get copies of these guidesfrom your local authority (or theSLC) or by phoning our free orderline on 0800 731 9133, or textphone0800 328 8988. You can get largeprint, Braille and audio-tapeversions of all these guides free of charge by phoning our order line. You can also download them from our website atwww.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance.


20

Access to Learning FundThe Access to Learning Fund isavailable through your university orcollege. It can provide help forstudents in financial difficulties whomay need extra financial support fortheir course and to stay in highereducation. It can provide financialhelp to both full-time and part-timestudents, including postgraduatestudents. More specifically, thefunds can:

• pay particular course-related andliving costs which are not alreadybeing met by other grants;

• help students who are in financialdifficulty;

• provide emergency payments foran unexpected financial crisis;and

• help students who may bethinking about giving up theircourse because of financialproblems.

To apply for support from the Accessto Learning Fund, part-time studentsmust generally be on a course of atleast 50% of an equivalent full-timecourse. But disabled studentswhose disability prevents themfrom following 50% or more of anequivalent full-time course canalso apply for support from theAccess to Learning Fund, as long asthey are following at least 25% of anequivalent full-time course.

And students taking 'taster' modulesof at least 12 credits (10% of anequivalent full-time course) who areon low incomes may be able to gethelp with fees and course-relatedcosts, such as books and travel.

You may get help in meeting thecost of an assessment for a specificlearning difficulty, sometimes calleda diagnostic assessment, includingtravel to and from the assessmentcentre, through the Access toLearning Fund.

You should contact your university's orcollege's student services departmentto find out if you can get help from theAccess to Learning Fund.

Benefits The information given here isgeneral. If you think you may beeligible for any of the followingbenefits, please contact yourlocal Jobcentre Plus office,Housing Benefit office or studentadvisory service.

Full-time students in highereducation are not generally entitledto income-related benefits unlessthey fall into one of the groups ofpeople treated as 'vulnerable' byJobcentre Plus. This includes lone(single) parents and some peoplewith a disability (see table on page 21.


21

Vulnerable groups HousingBenefit andCouncil TaxBenefit (see note 1)

IncomeSupport

Jobseeker’sAllowance

Lone (single) parents

Disabled people who get disability or severe disabilitypremium

Disabled people who receive Disabled Students'Allowance (a grant paid underthe student support system)because of deafness

Pensions (State retirement age) (see note 2)

However, if you have a partner whois not a student and they are eligiblefor any of the income-relatedbenefits, your partner can claim onbehalf of you both - if your partnerclaims Jobseeker's Allowance youmay need to go to an interview atthe Jobcentre, although as a full-time student you will not need to beavailable for work. (Your income will be taken into account whenassessing your partner's entitlementto any means-tested benefit.)

Many students who are eligible forincome-related benefits, will findtheir income from student support ishigher than the amount of benefitthey would receive.

However, certain types of supportare not taken into account whenworking out a student's income.Since September 2004, students inone of the vulnerable groups whoare living in accommodation ownedby the university can now apply forHousing Benefit during term time.

You may also find it helpful to askthe advisory services in yourstudents' union or student servicesdepartment for advice.

The first table below shows therelevant vulnerable groups for income-related benefit and whichbenefits they may be eligible for.The second table shows two othersituations when full-time students maybe eligible for income-related benefit.


22

Note 1 - since April 2004, most full-time students should not have to payCouncil Tax unless they are owner-occupiers who have anotherperson living with them and paying them rent.

Note 2 - from 6 October 2003, pensioners should be getting the PensionCredit instead of Income Support.

Note 3 - one of the couple may claim during the summer holiday.Note 4 - intercalating is when a student has suspended their studies (for

example, because of sickness or to care for someone) but eventhough the reason for the suspension has ended, the studentcannot continue the course yet.

Other full-time students who may be eligible forincome-related benefit

HousingBenefit andCouncil TaxBenefit (see note 1)

IncomeSupport

Jobseeker'sAllowance

Student couples withdependent children (see note 3) (see note 3)

Students intercalating (seenote 4) after a period ofsickness or caring for someone


23

How does the Jobcentre Plus orlocal Housing Benefit office workout what I am eligible for?In most cases, student supportreplaces benefits as the mainsource of support for students,whether they decide to take out astudent loan or not. To assess yourentitlement to benefit the JobcentrePlus or Housing Benefit office worksout your weekly income andcompares this with the weeklybenefit you would receive. However,because the student loan alsoprovides help towards course-related costs, when working outyour weekly income, the cost ofbooks, equipment and travel will notbe taken into account. An extra £10of your weekly income is also nottaken into account. For the2006/2007 academic year, thedeductions were £361 towards thecost of books and equipment and£285 for travel costs. From August2007, your university's or college'sadvice service will be able to tellyou the amounts for the 2007/2008academic year.

Payments from the Access toLearning Fund may not be countedas long as they are not intended for

day-to-day living costs. The HigherEducation Grant, Special SupportGrant, Childcare Grant and ParentsLearning Allowance should also notbe counted. If you receive a bursaryfrom your university or college, youwill need to ask your local authorityor your university's or college'sadvice service whether any of thiswill be taken into account. Your localJobcentre Plus or Housing Benefitoffice will also be able to give youmore advice.

Since April 2004, Income Supportand income-based Jobseeker'sAllowance have changed to becomebenefits paid for adults only. Theparts previously paid for children willbe covered by the tax credits paidby HM Revenue & Customs. Youcan get more information from yourlocal Jobcentre Plus office.

There is a free and confidentialBenefit Enquiry Line 0800 88 22 00- for people with disabilities andtheir carers. If you use a textphone,dial 0800 24 33 55. You can alsocontact Skill: National Bureau for Students with Disabilities, for information on benefits andstudying.


24

20 Where can I get moreinformation?There are a range of contacts thatcan answer your questions.

• For general questions aboutstudent finance and how to apply,contact your local authority or theStudent Loans Company'sCustomer Support Office (CSO)on 0845 607 7577.

• For detailed questions about yourentitlement to help, contact yourlocal authority or the StudentFinance helpline.

• To apply on-line or monitor your application, go towww.studentfinancedirect.co.uk.

• For a paper copy of theapplication form, contact yourlocal authority. Or, if you live inone of the local authorities testingnew student financearrangements named in theintroduction section, contact theCSO on 0845 607 7577.

• For a copy of one of our guides, contact the StudentSupport Information Line on 0800 731 9133.

• For OU students contact theFinancial Support Team on 01908 653411.

The Customer Support Office Students in England can now usethe SLC’s Customer SupportOffice to get a range of informationabout student finance.

The Customer Support Officeanswers general questions aboutthings such as:- what financial help is available;- the application process and

timetable;- questions about the on-line

services atwww.studentfinancedirect.co.uk;

- progress in assessing yourapplication; and

- paying your loan.

You can phone the CSO on 0845607 7577 between 8am and 8pm.Monday to Friday, Saturday andSunday 9.00am to 5.30pm.


25

You can also use the on-lineservices at www.studentfinancedirect.co.uk to:

- find out how much loan and helptowards your fees you are likely toreceive using the ‘entitlementcalculator’;

- track the progress of yourapplication;

- update your address and othercontact details;

- see copies of letters that havebeen sent to you;

- check when you are next due tobe paid; and

- ask questions.

Local authoritiesStudents living in England cancontact their local authority. Localauthorities provide detailed adviceon the support you are likely to beentitled to and the result of theassessment of your application.Check if your local authority istesting new student-financearrangements (see page 5) as youmay need to contact the SLC'sCustomer Support Office.

You should also contact your localauthority if you need a paper copyof an application form. Contact theCustomer Support Office for a papercopy if your local authority is testingnew student-finance arrangements.

You can see a list of local authority contacts at www.studentfinancedirect.co.uk.

If you are still at school, yourcareers teacher can give you theaddress and phone number of yourlocal authority.

Student Support helplineWe run a helpline for students,parents and members of the publicliving in England. We can answerdetailed questions about studentfinance and eligibility and canexplain the information in ourbooklets. You can phone thehelpline on 0845 602 0583 between 10am and 4pm fromMonday to Friday.


26

Student support information lineStudents living in England canphone 0800 731 9133 to order afree copy of any of our guides.There is a free textphone serviceavailable on 0800 328 8988. Youcan also get any of our guides inlarge print, Braille and on audio-tape free of charge by phoning ourinformation line.

If you normally live in Wales, youshould contact the local authority forthe area you normally live in aboutstudent finance arrangements. Youcan find contact details for localauthorities along with otherinformation about student financeon the Student Finance Waleswebsite.• www.studentfinancewales.co.uk

(in English)• www.cyllidmyfyrwyrcymru.co.uk

(in Welsh)

Or, you can phone the bilingualStudent Finance Wales helpline on0845 602 8845.

If you normally live in Scotland,you should contact the StudentAwards Agency for Scotland to findout about student financearrangements in Scotland.Their address is:The Student Awards Agency forScotland Gyleview House3 Redheughs RiggSouth GyleEdinburgh EH12 9HH.Phone: 0845 111 1711 Email: [email protected]: www.saas.gov.uk

If you normally live in NorthernIreland, you should contact theEducation and Library Board for thearea you normally live in.

You can find contact details for theEducation and Library Boards atwww.studentfinanceni.co.uk


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If you are an Open Universitystudent, you should contact theOU. Their address is:

For questions about DSAs

The Open University Disabled Students’ Allowance OfficeWalton HallMilton Keynes MK7 6ZN.Phone: 01908 654136Textphone: 01908 659955Fax: 01908 659956E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.open.ac.uk

For questions about financialsupport

The Open UniversityFees and Financial SupportPO Box 197Milton Keynes MK7 6BJPhone: 01908 653 411Fax: 01908 654 914E-mail:[email protected]:www.open.ac.uk/financialsupport

Other useful contactsSkill: National Bureau forStudents with DisabilitiesChapter House18-20 Crucifix LaneLondon SE1 3JW.Information Service (Tuesdays 11.30am to 1.30pm,Thursdays 1.30pm to 3.30pm)Phone: 0800 328 5050Minicom: 0800 068 2422Fax: 020 7450 0650E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.skill.org.uk

Skill is a national charity promotingopportunities in further or highereducation, training and employmentfor young people and adults in theUK with any kind of disability. It haspublished a number of informationbooklets on DSAs and highereducation for disabled students andstudents with specific learningdifficulties. The booklets areavailable on the Skill website atwww.skill.org.uk/info/infosheets.asp

Skill’s information service cananswer questions on highereducation and disability.


28

For information about organisationswhich have expertise in yourdisability or specific learningdifficulty, Skill has also published aninformation booklet ‘OrganisationsOffering Advice or Services toDisabled Students’ which givescontact details. It is available on theSkill website at http://www.skill.org.uk/info/infosheets.asp#acrosssectors

Disability Rights Commission(DRC)DRC HelplineFreepost MID 02164Stratford-upon-AvonCV37 9BR.Phone: 08457 622 633Textphone: 08457 622 644Fax: 08457 778 878E-mail: use one of the mailformsavailable on the DRC website at www.drc-gb.org/whatwedo/helplineenquiry.asp

National Union of Students (NUS)2nd FloorCentro 319 Mandela StreetLondon NW1 0DU.Phone: 0871 221 8221 Fax: 0871 221 8222E-mail: [email protected]: www.nusonline.co.uk

Appendix 1Conditions for receiving studentfinance including DSAsIf you want more information about theconditions for receiving student financeincluding DSAs, you can get a leafletcalled 'Student Finance - how you areassessed and paid' which explains this.

You can get a copy from your localauthority (or the SLC) or by phoningour free order line on 0800 7319133, or textphone 0800 328 8988.You can get large print Braille andaudio-tape versions of the leafletfree of charge by phoning our orderline. You can also download thisleaflet from the website atwww.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance.


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Appendix 2 DSA Quality Assurance Group(DSA-QAG)The Disabled Students' AllowancesQuality Assurance Group (DSA-QAG) is a non-profit-makingRegulatory Company Limited byGuarantee. DSA-QAG is made up of representatives from localauthorities, universities andcolleges, DSA assessment centres,DSA equipment suppliers, SKILLand the NUS. It has devised aQuality Assurance Framework(QAF) for assessment centres andequipment suppliers. Moreinformation about the work of DSA-QAG including a list ofregistered and accreditedassessment centres and suppliers isavailable on the website at http://www.dsa-qag.org.uk/.

Registered centres and suppliersare those waiting for an initialaccreditation audit. Accreditedcentres and suppliers are thosewhich had satisfied an auditinspection. We are treating allregistered assessment centres asbeing within the framework andrecommend local authorities (or the CLS or OU) to use registered or accredited centres to carry outDSA needs assessments.

Appendix 3Specific Learning DifficultiesWorking GroupThe Specific Learning DifficultiesWorking Group was set up in 2003to review the arrangements foridentifying and assessing specificlearning difficulties in higher-education students. The group wasasked to produce a reportrecommending a framework toguarantee the quality ofassessments which diagnosespecific learning difficulties. The finalreport is published on our website atwww.dfes.gov.uk/studentsupport/dsa__1.shtml.

The report's recommendations arebeing phased in over three years.


30

The following schedule shows dates for introducing specific parts of theframework described in the report.

From September 2006

• Local authorities to accept assessments, called diagnostic assessments,from psychologists and suitably qualified specialist teachers. Specialistteachers who assess dyslexia should hold AMBDA (AssociateMembership of the British Dyslexia Association) or a qualification from an advanced training course which assesses adults for dyslexia and isrecognised by the British Dyslexia Association's (BDA) AccreditationBoard.

• Diagnostic reports to be in the format recommended in the SpecificLearning Difficulties Working Group report.

• Diagnostic reports to use tests recommended in the Specific LearningDifficulties Working Group report.

From September 2007

• Local authorities to accept diagnostic reports from psychologists andspecialist teachers who hold a current practising certificate in assessingspecific learning difficulties. That certificate must be issued by theirprofessional association. For example, the British Psychological Societyor Professional Association of Teachers of Students with SpecificLearning Difficulties (PATOSS) or Dyslexia Action.

• Diagnostic reports to use the report format recommended in the SpecificLearning Difficulties Working Group's guidelines.

• Diagnostic reports to use tests recommended in the Specific LearningDifficulties Working Group's guidelines.

From September 2008

• Procedures as from September 2007 above plus the following.• All training for assessing specific learning difficulties to incorporate the

Specific Learning Difficulties Working Group's guidelines.


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Appendix 4Support from other organisationsUndergraduate and postgraduateNHS studentsThis guide is not intended forstudents who will get an NHSbursary for their course. DisabledStudents' Allowances (DSAs) areavailable as part of the NHSBursary Scheme, for which NHSbursary degree and diplomastudents may be eligible. (If you area medical or dental student whostarted your course in 2003, you willbecome eligible for an NHS bursaryin September 2007.) If you willreceive an NHS bursary, or plan toapply for one, you should contactyour university or college for detailsof the support that is available todisabled students under the NHSBursary Scheme.

You can get more information aboutthe NHS Bursary Scheme, and theDSAs this offers, in the Departmentof Health's guide 'Financial Helpfor Health Care Students'. You canget a copy of the booklet on-line atwww.nhsstudentgrants.co.uk or bywriting to:

The NHS Pensions AgencyHesketh House200-220 BroadwayFleetwood FY7 8LG.

For information about NHSbursaries in England, contact:The Customer Services TeamThe NHS Student Grants UnitHesketh House200-220 BroadwayFleetwood FY7 8LG.Phone: 0845 358 6655 Fax: 01253 774490 E-mail: [email protected]:www.nhsstudentgrants.co.uk

NHS secondeesPlease note that health-carestudents who are employed by NHStrusts and seconded (transferredtemporarily) onto health-carecourses are not eligible for NHSbursaries and so cannot receiveNHS DSAs. These students, whocontinue to receive their salary andhave their tuition fees paid by theNHS, can receive DSA supportunder the Student SupportRegulations if they meet the usual conditions.


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Postgraduates funded byresearch councils DSAs are available to studentsfunded by research councils if thestudent has to pay extra costs intheir postgraduate study as a resultof their disability. Details of the leveland type of DSA support offered,and information about how to applyfor it, are available on each researchcouncil’s website.

• Arts and Humanities ResearchCouncil (visit www.ahrc.ac.uk)

• Biotechnology and BiologicalSciences Research Council (visit www.bbsrc.ac.uk)

• Engineering and PhysicalSciences Research Council (visit www.epsrc.ac.uk)

• Economic and Social ResearchCouncil (visit www.esrc.ac.uk)

• Medical Research Council (visit www.mrc.ac.uk)

• Natural Environment ResearchCouncil (visit www.nerc.ac.uk)

• Particle Physics and AstronomyResearch Council (visitwww.pparc.ac.uk)

You should speak to the disabilityadviser at your university or collegeif you want to apply for DSAs fromthe research councils as they will beable to offer information and help.You will usually need to provideproof of your disability or specificlearning difficulty and a recent DSA-needs assessment whereappropriate.

The research councils will normallyhelp meet the cost of a DSA-needsassessment.

Bursaries for full-time graduatesstudying an approvedpostgraduate social-work courseThe General Social Care Council’s‘postgraduate bursary’ is available tograduates (or those with anequivalent qualification recognisedby universities) studying anapproved college-based full-timepostgraduate social-work course.There are allowances within thepostgraduate bursary to supportstudents with disabilities. For moreinformation on the postgraduatebursary, visit the bursaries page ofthe website at www.gscc.org.uk

Support for a postgraduatecourse from your university orcollegeIf your university or college providessupport equivalent to DSAs forpostgraduate courses, you will notbe able to get a postgraduate DSAfrom your local authority. You shouldnot include any payment you willreceive from your university’s orcollege’s Access to Learning Fund.


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G

H

Access to Learning Fund 20Applying for DSAs 11,13Full time undergraduate students 11Part time undergraduate students 12Postgraduate students 20

Open University students 27Assessment, DSA needs 9-10,12,4-16Assessment centres 16-17,20,29

Benefits 20-21,23Buying specialist equipment 15

Complaints procedure 19Contacts 24-25,27

Disability adviser 5,8-11,17,19,32Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 8Disability Rights Commission (DRC)

9,28Distance Learning 4,6DSA Assessments 29Dyslexia 9-11,16,30Dyspraxia 11

Eligibility (general) 7,10,-12,17,25,28Full time and part time 4,6,15,20Undergraduate students

4, 6-7,12,14,19Postgraduate students 4,6Open University students 5,7

Evidence of disability 10Exam arrangements 10,17Entitlement 17,21,23-25

General Allowance 14,16,18General Social Care Council 4,7,32

Higher Education Grant 23Housing Benefit 20-23

Insurance 15

Loans 19Local Authorities 10-12,24-26,29-30

National Union of Students 28NHS Bursary 31Non-medical helper's allowance

6,14-16Northern Ireland 4,26Northern Ireland students 4,26National Bureau for students with Disabilities 9,23,27NUS 28

Open University students 7,13Other financial support 19

Postgraduate students 4, 6-7,13,15,20Personal eligibility 6,28Previous study 7

Quality Assurance Group (QAG) 29

Research councils 4,7,32

Scotland 4,26Skill 9,23,27-29Special Support Grant 4,23Specialist equipment allowance 14-15Specific learning difficulties

16-17,20,27-29,30,32Students Loans Company (SLC)

5-7,9-19,24-25,28Student Support Helpline 25

Travel Costs 14-16,18,23

Undergraduates 11-12

Vulnerable groups 21

Welsh students 26

25 Index

A

L

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

B

C

D

E

I


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You can get more copies of this booklet by calling our freeinformation line on 0800 731 9133 quoting referenceS/BTGB/V7. You can also get this booklet in large print,Braille and on audio-tape free of charge by phoning ourinformation line. There is a free textphone service availableon 0800 328 8988.

The guide is also available on our website atwww.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance.

February 2007

ISBN: 1 84478 169 0


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