Am I eligible for DSA?

Original post by N-R-G

Yep. The most basic requirement for DSA is that you need to have a disability that affects your ability to study.

When I applied for DSA I just had a letter stating what my condition was and how it affected me studying (e.g. lack of concentration, fatigue, chronic pain, inability to write, etc.). However, this was prior to being diagnosed with MH problems (despite being mentally unwell for many, many years), so before they updated my needs assessment it was solely for my physical disability.

Anyway, you can get a lot of different things with DSA:
non-medical helpers, like note-takers and specialist mentors;
software for your laptop/desktop (e.g. mindmapping, text to speech, speech to text, Microsoft Office, etc.);
different bits of hardware like a new laptop (you'd need to pay £200 towards it if I remember correctly), printers, dictaphones and a microphone, etc.;
different types of allowances for things like ink and non-core textbooks, travel allowances, accommodation allowances;
help with arranging individual arrangements for exams.

All depends on what your needs assessor recommends for you though.

Reply 3

The thing is I'm not getting any help from student finance towards the cost of the course. Should I just apply anyway and see what they say?

Reply 4

Original post by N-R-G

The thing is I'm not getting any help from student finance towards the cost of the course. Should I just apply anyway and see what they say?

are you a uk student (if nothing else)? :smile:

Reply 5

Original post by claireestelle

are you a uk student (if nothing else)? :smile:

Yes I'm a uk student.

Reply 6

Original post by N-R-G

Yes I'm a uk student.

If you would qualify to get a tuition fee loan from SFE/SFW or any other funding body then you should be eligible :smile:

Reply 7

Original post by claireestelle

If you would qualify to get a tuition fee loan from SFE/SFW or any other funding body then you should be eligible :smile:

No I've already been to university to study architecture and I'm going to study art history with a bursary covering costs.

Reply 8

Original post by N-R-G

The thing is I'm not getting any help from student finance towards the cost of the course. Should I just apply anyway and see what they say?

If I'm not mistaken, you fill in the DSA full form, as opposed to the DSA slim form.

(here: https://www.gov.uk/disabled-students-allowances-dsas/how-to-claim).

Reply 9

Original post by Pathway

If I'm not mistaken, you fill in the DSA full form, as opposed to the DSA slim form.

(here: https://www.gov.uk/disabled-students-allowances-dsas/how-to-claim).

Thanks, I rely on TSR too much. LoL :biggrin:

Reply 10

Original post by N-R-G

No I've already been to university to study architecture and I'm going to study art history with a bursary covering costs.

Ah i dont think 2nd degrees are always covered by sfe so i m really sorry but you could be ineligible, you should get exam adjustments from the uni for definite.

Reply 11

Original post by N-R-G

Thanks, I rely on TSR too much. LoL :biggrin:

Original post by claireestelle

Ah i dont think 2nd degrees are always covered by sfe so i m really sorry but you could be ineligible, you should get exam adjustments from the uni for definite.

https://www.gov.uk/disabled-students-allowances-dsas/eligibility Seems as though they could be eligible. It's not a means tested allowance, so I don't see why they wouldn't be. :dontknow:

Best to ask Student Finance themselves.

Edit: reading further down the page, I don't think you can. It does state for your first degree. But, definitely enquire with SFE/SFW (whoever is applicable), see what they say!

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 12

Original post by claireestelle

Ah i dont think 2nd degrees are always covered by sfe so i m really sorry but you could be ineligible, you should get exam adjustments from the uni for definite.

What are they and what are they for? Excuse my ignorance I might just be tired.

Reply 13

Original post by N-R-G

What are they and what are they for? Excuse my ignorance I might just be tired.

Things like separate rooms if you have anxiety, pc's, scribes, extra time

Reply 14

No the eligibility criteria states you must be eligible for student finance. Thanks for your help but it looks lille I don't qualify. Although it does say that's for England whereas I'm resident in Wales I'll give SFW a ring.

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 15

Original post by Pathway

https://www.gov.uk/disabled-students-allowances-dsas/eligibility Seems as though they could be eligible. It's not a means tested allowance, so I don't see why they wouldn't be. :dontknow:

Best to ask Student Finance themselves.

I think as they say you have to meet their eligibility rules then second degrees don't fit it (i m on nhs dsa this year, for my second degree so not sure on the sfe rules on this) but this is a pretty grey area so i agree with giving them a call :smile:

Reply 16