Disabled Students Allowance's (DSA's) are grants.
They:
- are for higher education students
- help with extra studying costs/expenses due to a disability or specific learning difficulty
- aim to help disabled students study on an equal basis
Full-time, part-time and postgraduate students qualify.
DSA's are paid on top of the student finance package. There are 3 elements:
- an equipment allowance
- a non-medical helpers allowance
- a general allowance
Travel related expenses might also be met.
The equipment allowance is for assistive technology. It includes:
- computer software and hardware
- recording devices
- ergonomic items
Non-medical help is any human support, such as:
- note-taking
- the use of sign language interpreters
The general allowance covers various items. Examples:
- paying for internet
- books (under some circumstances)
- ink cartridges
- paper
- photocopying
- coloured overlays.
Further information: