Disabled Students' Allowance
The government offer DSA allowances to help meet the extra costs of studying that some students face as a direct result of a disability or specific learning difficulty. The allowances are designed to help disabled students study on an equal basis with other students and can be applied for by full-time, part-time and postgraduate students. The allowance is not means tested and is not repayable.
The allowance can be used for:
The allowance can be used for:
- specialist equipment you need for studying - for example, computer software
- a non-medical helper, such as a note-taker or reader
- extra travel costs you have to pay because of your disability
- other costs - for example, tapes or Braille paper
Mentors
Some students benefit from a mentor and disabled nursing and social work students may also have an additional mentor whilst on placement. The mentor is funded by DSAs. A mentor can help with one-to-one solution focused support and can help identify barriers that may arise in your study, living, social, health, financial or personal life that may impact on your studies and or emotional well-being.
Some students benefit from a mentor and disabled nursing and social work students may also have an additional mentor whilst on placement. The mentor is funded by DSAs. A mentor can help with one-to-one solution focused support and can help identify barriers that may arise in your study, living, social, health, financial or personal life that may impact on your studies and or emotional well-being.
Students with dyslexia
If you have dyslexia you may be eligible for study support tutorials funded through DSAs aim to move you on at your own pace and encourage independent working as outlined below:
- Planning – work and your time
- Library research and note-taking
- What your writing should look like
- Using references
- Making the most of your equipment and training
- How to correct your work
- Exams and exam revision
- Becoming a more independent learner
Further information about Disabled Students’ Allowances can be found on the Directgov website.
