Disabled Student Allowances (DSA)

How to apply for DSA funding

Man in wheelchair going through Putteridge Bury entrance

If you have a disability or long term medical condition you may be eligible for funding from the Disabled Student's Allowances (DSA). DSAs help pay for extra costs you may incur in attending your courses as a direct result of your disability.

Applications are processed by your funding body e.g. Local Authority or NHS Grants Unit. They will ask you to provide evidence of your disability such as a doctor's letter or a current educational psychologist's report.

The allowance might help with the cost of major items of specialist equipment, non-medical helpers and, perhaps, travel and other costs.

It is intended to bridge the gap between your study strategies and the demands of your course.

The allowances are explained more fully in the DfES booklet Bridging the Gap. Copies are available at the Student Information Desk or from your funding body.

Once your LA has decided you are eligible they will ask you to have an Assessment of Need at an accredited Access Centre.

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Working in partnership with the Cambridge Access Centre we are able to offer needs assessments interview during which you're encouraged to make informed choices about your study support needs in a friendly and confidential environment within the Campus Centre at the Luton campus.

This is a high quality assessment with friendly and knowledgeable assessors who will identify useful study strategies to help you deal effectively with the curriculum in light of your disability. They will be able to introduce and demonstrate to you, a range of equipment and adaptive computing hardware and software.

Arranging your assessment

When you book your appointment with us you will be asked to supply supporting documentation including:

a copy of your medical evidence or current educational psychologists report
a copy of the letter from your funding body confirming you should book the assessment

To arrange the appointment please contact:

Debby Wakeham - DSA Administrator
T: 01582 743915
E: disability@beds.ac.uk

If you are a student of the University of Bedfordshire you can log your enquiry through SID Online. SID will ensure that your request is forwarded immediately to the DSA Administrator.