Did you know that individuals with dyslexia are eligible for the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)?
If you or your child is thinking of going to University, applying for a Disabled Students’ Allowance, or DSA, it may entitle you to new equipment and technology that will help you reach your full potential as an undergraduate or postgraduate student.
The definition of ‘disability’
Under the Equality Act 2010 a person is considered disabled if they have a physical or mental impairment that substantially or long-term negatively affects their ability to carry out normal daily activities.
This definition includes individuals who have dyslexia and other learning difficulties such as ADHD, ASD, DCD, dysgraphia and dyscalculia.
At Dyslexia First, we recognise that a dyslexia diagnosis is no reason for an individual not to reach their full learning potential and utilising additional support through DSA can be highly beneficial.
In this blog, we discuss how having a DSA can help to make a difference in your learning, and share the application process.
What is the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)?
The DSA is a government fund that provides support for UK students with a disability. This includes assistance with the cost of specialist equipment, one to one support and Access Arrangements.
Students can be apply for this funding on its own, or in addition to their regular student funding. It is funding that doesn’t need to be paid back unless the course isn’t completed.
The type and extent of support is based on individual needs. For example, the DSA can cover costs for specialist computer equipment.
How does the DSA support dyslexic students?
With the DSA, students can access funding to pay for equipment like a laptop, dictaphone, scanner or printer to accommodate their learning preferences
Specialist software further aids their academic journey, offering dictation software for writing essays, text-to-speech software for reading dense texts, and mind-mapping software for effective planning.
In a 2019 DfE survey, one student interviewed stated that between their 1st and 2nd term they saw a large improvement in their grades, quoting, “If I didn’t have the specialist software, I probably wouldn’t have completed the course”.1
Additionally, the DSA provides crucial one-to-one study support, exam condition adjustments, and deadline extensions for students with dyslexia.
Under the Equality Act 2010 a person is considered disabled if they 'have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial or long-term negative effect on their ability to do normal daily activities'.
Who is eligible for the Disabled Students’ Allowance?
The DSA is aimed at undergraduate and postgraduate students with a ‘disability’ that affects their ability to study.
They must also be
• A UK resident
• On a course that lasts at least a year (including part-time, Open University and distance learning courses)
• Qualify for student finance from Student Finance England.
About The Disabled Students’ Allowance Application Process
1. Proof of eligibility
First on the to-do list is to prove your eligibility for DSA.
To qualify using dyslexia for DSA funding, you must have a diagnostic dyslexia assessment before applying for the DSA. This will act as evidence of your needs.
Always check an assessor’s qualifications at the SpLD Assessment Standards Committee website.
For other conditions, see the proof below:
Condition | Proof |
Disabilities or long-term health condition | A copy of a report or letter from your doctor or consultant – or you can fill in the disability evidence form |
Mental health condition | A copy of a report or letter from your doctor or consultant – or you can fill in the disability evidence form |
Specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia | A copy of a ‘diagnostic assessment’ from a practitioner psychologist or suitably qualified specialist teacher |
The DSA application process can take up to 3 months
2. Give time for the DSA process
It’s best to start the DSA (Disabled Students’ Allowance) application process as early as possible, as it can take up to 3 months.
You can apply for DSA before your University place is confirmed when you apply for student finance online, or on its own (completing form DSA1).
3. Book your study needs assessment (if required)
You may be asked to book a study needs assessment by the Student Finance organisation. This is an informal meeting to work out what support you will require based on your individual needs.
4. The application is reviewed
Confirmation on whether the application is successful will be received within 6 weeks, however, it’s worth bearing in mind that the application process varies and could take up to 14 weeks for the DSA support to be put in place.
5. Order your equipment or support
Once funding has been approved, order your DSA equipment or support.
The amount of funding will vary and is based on your needs, for the Academic Year 2024-25 the allowance is up to £26,948 per year in England.
6. Receiving DSA fund money
Your DSA will be paid as agreed, either as reimbursement or directly to the supplier.
The Disabled Students’ Allowance can help to make learning more manageable and is funding available to support you. If you’d like additional information, please see our website which holds two essential videos that talk through the application process in detail.
www.dyslexia-first.co.uk/university
At Dyslexia First we want to help those who are living with dyslexia to enjoy life and the opportunities it brings. We are relentlessly positive about dyslexia.
If you want to talk more about dyslexia and discuss assessment for children or adults, please contact us.
Getting assessed by a qualified practitioner is crucial to getting the correct diagnosis and accessing the help and support you need for your child. Always check an assessor’s qualifications at: SpLD Assessment Standards Committee website.
About Dyslexia First
Dyslexia First provides first-class dyslexia assessments for children and adults across the North West.
Owner Michala Morton has worked in the field of Special Needs for over 20 years, across a wide range of educational settings, and works closely with The British Dyslexia Association and The Dyslexia Association assessing children and adults.
Based in Newton-le-Willows, Merseyside, Dyslexia First is conveniently accessible by train, linking to Central Liverpool, Manchester and cities within an hour’s commute.
Useful sources:
Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSA) guide 2024 – Save the Student
Top tips to prepare your dyslexic child for another successful year at school.
