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What are the Disabled Students' Allowances?
Maximums for FULL and PART-TIME HE students
WHAT ARE THE DISABLED STUDENTS' ALLOWANCES (DSA)?
The Disabled Students' Allowances (DSA) can help with additional costs disabled students incur in attending their course as a direct result of a disability such as a physical disability, a mental-health difficulty, long-term illness or a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia.
They are available to many full-time and part-time disabled students, although part-time students must be studying at least 50% of a full-time course. They are available to both undergraduates and postgraduates and are not means-tested.
Unlike a student loan, this assistance does not have to be repaid, and there is no age limit. Students must meet UK residence requirements to be eligible.
For further information go to the following government link: http://www.direct.gov.uk
WHEN CAN I APPLY?
You can apply for the DSA at any time during your course or prior to commencing your course.
Depending on your needs, support from the DSA could include specialist equipment, a non-medical helpers allowance, help towards the additional costs of traveling to your institution and a general allowance.
There are four elements of DSA support; the maximum DSA allowances in 2009/10 are detailed below.
Maximum allowances are meant to support the highest levels of need, so most people will get less.
On top of the allowances listed in this table, you can claim for 'reasonable spending' on extra travel costs for the academic year.
Maximums for full-time and Part-time UNDER-GRADUATE Students: 2009/2010
| Type of allowance | Full-time students | Part-time students |
| Specialist equipment | up to £5,161 for entire course | up to £5,161 for entire course |
| Non-medical helper (depends on intensity of course) | up to £20,520 a year | up to £15,390 a year |
| General Allowance (depends on intensity of course) | up to £1,724 a year | up to £1,293 a year |
Allowances for POSTGRADUATE students 2009/2010
| Postgraduate students (including Open University students and other distance learners) can apply for a single allowance to cover all costs | The maximum allowance for 2009/2010 is £10,260 |
Maximums for full-time and part-time uNDER-GRADUATE students 2008/2009
| Type of allowance | Full-time students | Part-time students |
| Specialist equipment | up to £5,030 for entire course | up to £5,030 for entire course |
| Non-medical helper (depends on intensity of course) | up to £20,000 a year | up to £15,000 a year |
| General Allowance (depends on intensity of course) | up to £1,680 a year | up to £1,260 a year |
Allowances for POSTGRADUATE Students 2008/2009
| Postgraduate students (including Open University students and other distance learners) can apply for a single allowance to cover all costs | The maximum allowance for 2008/2009 it is £10,000 |
To view or download the Bridging the Gap booklet which provides further information about the DSA, go to: www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople
The Study Strategies Assessment (also known as Assessment of Need) should identify strategies you can use to participate in all aspects of mainstream higher education (despite any adverse effects your disability might have).
The report is used by Local Authorities/ Funding Bodies to determine the support they are able to pay for from the DSAs or other funding sources. The assessment report will also contain advice and guidance to help you and your University/ College agree reasonable adjustments they can make to help you get the most out of your course.