HIGHER EDUCATION/UNIVERSITY and DISABLED STUDENT ALLOWANCE (DSA)
Who by? Susie O’Kelly
Why might it be of interest?
Any young person attending university is taking a big step and it can feel much bigger for our young people with additional support needs. Getting the support and funding right is essential. DSA is the main grant to enable students to pay for the additional costs associated with their studying.
This document is a mine of information with links to helpful and useful websites about DSA and other things you will want to be considering when you start the process of looking for the right university and course for your young person.
Info for parent/carers as well as prospective students (2023)
These notes are intended for those with disabilities and/or additional needs including neurodiverse (autism, ADHD, dyslexia and dyspraxia) young people. Those with mental health conditions such as anxiety are also eligible for DSA.
DSA is not for disabled students who are studying at further education (FE) level (post-16 education, below degree level and not taught in a school). They should read the following Disability UK factsheet here: https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/funding-further-education-disabled-students
DSA is a grant to help disability related costs incurred whilst studying
This is to pay for specialist support including specialist equipment, non-medical human support and general expenditure including disability related travel costs (e.g. taxis). It is not means tested (does not depend on your income nor the income of your family), previous study doesn’t affect your eligibility, you do not have to pay it back nor do you need to have had an EHCP. DSA is not intended to fund personal care; for details about this see Disability Rights UK factsheet: https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/fundinghighereducation
For further info and advice for students with disabilities and for those applying for DSA
www.ucas.com/how-it-all-works/explore-your-options/individual-needs/students-disabilities
www.gov.uk/disabled-students-allowances-dsa/how-to-claim
Disclosure
Many prospective university students are anxious about disclosing that they have a disability (or additional need), but under the Equality Act 2010 it is unlawful for universities/colleges to discriminate against disabled students by treating them less favourably when offering places and providing services. It is useful to disclose so you can receive DSA and additional support from university; you will not be discriminated against for this. Disability Rights UK: https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/ can give you useful info on adjustments for disabled students, understanding the Equality Act and they have a Disabled Student Helpline & email address too:
Tel: 0330 995 0414
Email: students@disabilityrightsuk.org
Student Finance England (SFE)
SFE provides financial support on behalf of the government to English students entering higher education.
You apply for student finance from the February before you start your course in September/October. Applications are online UCAS, completing a form and listing your five choices of universities. Each university will let you know (via UCAS online) if your application has been successful and once you have heard back from all your universities you have to decide which two you will keep. Your favoured university (first choice) and your back up (insurance choice).
You also apply to SFE for your DSA
If you tick the box on the UCAS form to say you have a disability, you will be sent a DSA application form to complete. You can also find the form online from Student Finance England website.
DSA Allowances
DSA will pay for any extra costs you may have as a direct result of your disability, mental health condition or specific learning difficulty. 4 allowances to cover the 4 different areas/sections:
- Specialist Equipment Allowance: E.g. specialist software, such as voice recognition, or screen reading software. If you need a new computer or laptop you will have to pay the first £200 towards it.
- Non-medical Helper’s Allowance: E.g. mentors.
There are different bands from ‘specialist’ which is covered by DSA down to ‘basic’ which is covered by the university under reasonable adjustments. E.g. for those with visual impairments or who are deaf, a specialist note taker and BSL interpreters may be required which would be covered by DSA. See section below on Reasonable Adjustments and for information on Accommodation.
- General Allowance. Eg extra books, and photocopying.
- Travel Costs. Eg additional costs related to your disability. You may get the difference between the costs you would pay if you didn’t have a disability and your actual travel costs.
Please check online for any updates to what the four allowances can cover.
The amount you will get depends on your need, but there is an amount you cannot go over. You can check the amount here:
What DSA is for, and evidence required
DSA is not for disability related costs that you would incur whether you are a student or not (e.g. personal care) nor the costs for studying which every student will have.
DSA is intended to support you to study, so you will need to send evidence of your disability and how it affects your ability to study to SFE with your application. This evidence will be in the form of educational psychology reports, letters from health care professionals etc. If you have a learning difficulty such as dyslexia, you will need a diagnostic assessment which will include your educational difficulties (usually an educational psychologist report). If the report was carried out before your 16th birthday, you will have to get a new one and this assessment must be carried out by a chartered psychologist or specialist teacher who holds a current Assessment Practising Certificate. If you do have to get a new report/assessment, it is worth telling the educational psychologist that you want this for a DSA assessment and he/she can include information about the types of support that might help you. You do not need a new report if you were diagnosed with autism before your 16th birthday.
Needs Assessment
Once SFE have considered your completed DSE form and looked at your supporting evidence, they will write to you and let you know if you are eligible for DSA and for which particular reasons as there may be more than one (eg for autism and dyspraxia). If you are eligible, you will need to have a Needs Assessment at an assessment centre. They will let you know where the centres are and you can choose one closest to where you live. You can then contact the Disability Advisor (Learning Support Department) lat your top choice university to ask for advice about this.
You need to go to the assessment well prepared, having thought about the previous study strategies you have used and how effective they have been, what support you have had at school and you think you will find difficult and what you will need to support your studies. Your Needs Assessment can take about two hours. If you have a social and communication difficulty you may be able to request that you have a supporter with you (some prospective students have taken along a parent) but it is up to the Study Needs Assessor so it is worth talking to the assessment centre when you are booking the assessment. The assessment centre will probably ask you to complete a form about yourself ahead of the assessment which will include questions about how you would describe your disability/additional need, how it affects you and your ability to study, and how your course is going to be structured etc.
Preparing for the assessment
The following are good ideas to think about before you attend the assessment. Some people may find it useful to bring notes as a memory prompt:
- Investigate your university course and what activities you expect to participate in. This info will be in the university prospectus or you can contact the head of the relevant department
- How will the course be delivered and what support will you need for this:
- Will you be expected to use any particular software or equipment
- Do you need to go on fieldtrips or placements
- Your diagnosis/needs. How that impacts on your ability to study and what would help you so that you can complete that element of your studies.
- If you have extra time in exams. Why?
- What does the in-class support/learning support department do for you at school/college
- What support you are receiving/have received through your EHCP (if you have one)
Some may want to speak to the tutors at school/college who may have some suggestions about what they do extra for you to help you with your studies, and suggest you bring along some examples of your written work.
Once the assessment is completed and report written you will receive a copy from the assessment centre. SFE will then write to you to confirm your entitlement. You will not receive the benefit as cash itself, but will be told the allowance you will get for each section and how and where to order the equipment or book the (human) support. The companies who provide the equipment are used to students who have difficulties getting in touch with them and are usually very helpful. It is advisable to order your equipment and arrange any training, mentor support asap so it is in place by the start of the term.
Reasonable Adjustments provided by the individual university
Do make yourself known to your first choice university (and insurance choice) to ask about Reasonable Adjustments (RAs) and your support needs. Universities are required to pay for non-medical support staff to cover needs such as transcription, lab assistants, scribes, study assistants, library support and note-taking. For those requiring specialist support (e.g. if you have a visual or hearing impairment) such as a sign interpreter or specialist note taker this will be covered by DSA. Other forms of RAs include making course material available in an alternative format, sending out recommendations of support required to tutors, organising exams adjustments (e.g. extra time), making lecture notes available before each lecture and arranging for accommodation adaptations. Check what is covered by DSA and what by university (under RAs), as these can change year on year.
The disability services do vary between universities.
Contact your university’s disability advisor to find out more about the type of support and Reasonable Adjustments (RAs) they provide. This could involve
- Ensuring the university buildings and facilities are accessible
- Providing course materials in accessible formats, such as Braille
- Providing extra support in lectures/exams, e.g. note taking or allowing extra time
- Providing alternative teaching methods
Accommodation
See also notes below on Funding and arranging personal care support.
If you require a certain type of accommodation due to your disability speak to the university (Learning Support Department) asap to discuss this. For example, if you are using university accommodation but need an en-suite room, the cost difference can be considered by the university (not DSA) if it is more expensive than a standard hall of residence room, or you may need to be on the ground floor or have a room that can accommodate a wheel chair. DSA can pay for the difference in cost if you are having to pay for more expensive accommodation due to your needs and the accommodation is not provided by the university. It is useful to speak to your DSA assessor if you have particular accommodation needs due to your disability, so this can be included in the report whether it is provided by the university or not and even if you are living at home for the first year, in case you decide not to live at home in subsequent years. Examples include accommodation close to where you will be studying, a ground floor room or an en-suite room.
3 important points:
- Do remember to order your equipment and arrange other support as soon as possible once you have received confirmation of your entitlement (you will be given details of how to get in touch with the providers).
- Keep copies of all correspondence, reports and forms you have sent, by post, online or email
- Once at university, do chase up support if it has been agreed but you are not getting it (e.g. if you are having difficulty meeting your mentor or not receiving your lecture notes in advance). You can ask the Learning Support Department at the university to assist you.
If you start your course and realise you need more support (e.g. more hours of mentor support) you can email your Study Needs Assessor and ask for this. You should not need another full assessment, but may need to provide evidence (e.g. a letter from the university Learning Support Department).
Applying for DSA whilst at university
If you start university without DSA and during your course are either diagnosed with a need (eg a mental health need, autism, dyslexia) or decide that you do need support for an existing condition, you can apply for DSA. This can be done at any point during your time at university. If you are in this position, go and see the Learning Support Department at your university for advice.
You need to reapply for your student finance in advance of each year of your course.
If you apply for DSA along with your main application for student finance you won’t have to reapply each year of your course as long as you state on your main application that you want to continue receiving DSA. Postgraduates, part-time and DSA-only students need to reapply each year. When you are at this stage of your education check to make sure this is still the case.
Funding and arranging personal care support
The local authority in your home town where you are ‘ordinarily resident’ remains responsible for assessing and paying for any social or personal care support whilst you are living away at university. They can assist with completing applications for financial support through the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or for Personal Independence Payments (PIP), which can help with some of the extra (non-study related) costs caused by a disability. Tell the university you are applying for personal care as they should be able to provide you with info about your course and university environment, to ensure that your care support needs are assessed as accurately as possible. Also advise the Accommodation Office if you need an additional room for a carer once you have the offer of a place on a course. Your home Social Services will need to reflect this in their budgeting.
Further information about state benefits assistance is available from Disability Rights https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/resources/student-faqs
Full time, higher education students can only claim Universal Credit if they are in receipt of PIP and have established a limited capability for work BEFORE their course starts. As UC is a means tested benefit any maintenance loans the student receives (apart from most loans/grants specifically because of disability related needs) will be counted as income and UC reduced accordingly.
Disabled Students Helpline at Disability Rights UK
https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/disabled-students-helpline
More general information is available on the Government website
University personal assistants can assist with:
- Personal care, including washing, dressing and toileting needs
- Clinical intervention, e.g. support with a stoma, catheter, feeding tube or ventilator
- Mobility assistance, including using hoists
- Medication support, if required
- Preparing and cooking meals
- Household chores
- Shopping and running errands
How to choose the right university for you
- https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/student-advice/applying-to-uni/disabled-students-university-guide
- https://news.motability.co.uk/inspiration/a-wheelchair-users-guide-to-choosing-a-university/
- The Student Room is the UK’s largest online forum for students aged 14-24 and has many forums where you can ask specific questions. Bear in mind responses may be opinion and not fact! https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/
Think very carefully about where would be the best place for you to study. Look at the degree content, whether it is campus based or in town (and is the teaching for your particular course in a building far from the main campus), the distance from home and are there particular activities (e.g. sports) you wish to pursue. Talk to the University Learning Support Department. As with choosing schools, it is highly likely you will have to make compromises, so think carefully what is essential for you and what you are prepared to compromise on.
Attending Open Days gives you the opportunity to meet staff, ask questions and see what facilities are available. You can also speak to staff from the Learning Support Department too. The online open day directory will give further details: www.opendays.com
The following you may like to consider when deciding which university is right for you
Is this a course you are interested in and what are the practicalities of it (travelling to campus every day, field or lab work etc)?
Will you be taught in a way that is suitable for your needs? Can the university adjust the teaching?
Location – Campus or city. What is the terrain like (e.g. is it very hilly or many of the streets are cobbled and would this be a problem)? Are all the buildings close together or must you use public transport/university bus service to reach other buildings on a different campus for your whole course or an element of it? Will the teaching finish late and you have to get the bus back?
Do you want to live at home? Even if you want to live at home initially, if you have requirements (e.g. must be ground floor, or en suite), it is worth letting your DSA assessor know. This can then be included on your DSA entitlement form so that if you do decide to live in university accommodation in subsequent years the type of accommodation you need is already listed. You may then only have to pay for the standard accommodation even if you have a more expensive room (e.g. en suite).
If you are living at home/away from the university, will they provide the facilities on campus for you to rest, off-load books etc?
Accommodation: Does it meet your needs? Will you be with first year students when you start or is the most suitable accommodation a distance from those you will want to socialise with? Will you be able to live in university accommodate for all 3 years? Is all the university accommodation self-catered or is there an option for catered, and is the difference in price?
Consider the size of the university.
What is the public transport like?
Do the Learning Support Department seem welcoming? Will they provide the RAs you need?
Is there are support group for disabled students? Are there others with similar needs or is this not a concern for you?
Are the academic and social facilities accessible? Is there a particular hobby or interest you want to pursue e.g. sport? Would this be possible/accessible?
Thinking about a Gap Year?
Reasons for: Learn independence skills (e.g. cooking, travel training), be a bit older and more mature, do a course/volunteer, earn some money, have sorted all your DSA needs sorted without a last minute dash when exam results are through.
Some just prefer not to wait and want to go straight to university so they don’t have to plan what to do for a whole year and won’t feel left behind if all their school year/friends are already studying.
University clearing
This is the process of filling spare university places once exam results have been announced, and is often used by students who did not get the results needed to go to the university that offered them a place. If you use clearing you have to make the choice quickly. Think about your new university carefully. Is it really suitable? Can you get the accommodation you need? Would you be better taking a gap year so you can consider what is really right for you and not be panicked into accepting a university that does not meet your needs.
Further support and information
Disability Rights is a very good place for general info. You will find many links in this document and their Highter Education Guide has been updated and can be downloaded: https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/our-higher-education-guide-has-been-updated
Info from the National Autistic Society: Transition – starting college or university. Includes transition support helpline, video about starting university, joining clubs and links to Disability Rights factsheets. https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/transitions/england/starting-college-or-university
Helping those requiring 24/7 care & support to attend university including help with employing PAs, DSA application support & care packages, ensuring campus is accessible etc
AccessAble: Detailed Access Guides cover everything you’ll need to know about a university, from lecture halls and libraries to accommodation, bars, parking facilities & accessible toilets. Useful info for starting at university if you have access requirements. www.accessable.co.uk/inspire-me/heading-to-uni
Students with caring responsibilities: Students who are unpaid carers can get support: https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/applying-university/individual-needs/students-caring-responsibilities
Disabled students and disability rights: Eg for those in receipt of PIP, UC, person care. And if you want to make a complaint about the way you have been treated on your course. https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/how-we-can-help/individuals/education/frequently-asked-questions-students
Adjustments for disabled students whilst studying at university: Factsheet providing suggestions on the adjustments you may need. Listed under various impairment headings (eg autism, blind, deaf, mental health needs, physical disabilities, dyslexia etc) https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/adjustments-disabled-students-and-apprentices
Please check for any updates and changes which may have occurred since this document was written. Many of the links above will direct you to websites to confirm the information. You can also phone SFE for DSA enquiries and speak to university Learning Support Department staff.
Categories: Education & Employment, University
