Funding Support
Learn about Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs) and how to access funding.
What is DSA?
Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) is additional government funding for students with disabilities to cover study-related and other costs incurred by their disability. This allowance is not income assessed, age related or affected by other eligibility benefits and will not affect any of your existing benefits.
Who Can Apply for DSA?
DSA is available for full-time students, and part-time students following at least 25% of a full-time course, and available for both undergraduate and post-graduate courses in most cases. Non-UK students who are not eligible for DSA should contact us at disabilitydyslexia@chi.ac.uk to discuss your support requirements.
DSA will require evidence of your disability from a medical authority or appropriate specialist. If you have a specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia, they will require an assessment report from a suitably qualified assessor.
DSA pays for a range of facilities and support which can include:
- Specialist equipment such as assistive software and hardware
- Specialist study skills and/or specialist mentoring support
- General allowance such as printing or photocopying
- Extra transport costs not already covered by existing benefits
How do I apply for DSA?
Students are advised to apply for DSA as early as possible and even before they start their university course. This is because it can take several weeks for your support to be put in place. You can create a student finance account at the same time as your UCAS application.
You can create a student finance account at the same time as your UCAS application.
Students are advised to apply for DSA as early as possible and even before they start their university course. This is because it can take several weeks for your support to be put in place.
- Complete a DSA application form online gov.uk or log onto your student finance account on your phone. If you are a part-time Under Graduate or Post Graduate student, you cannot apply online. Instead, you need to download a DSA1 application form, and the advisor or University will need to complete section 5 of this form.
- Submit your application to student finance or the relevant funding body along with your medical evidence or specialist report.
- You will receive an automated email from student finance or the relevant funding body.
To apply for Disabled Students’ Allowance:
- In England apply to Student Finance England. You can apply at the same time as making your online UCAS application.
- In Wales apply to Student Finance Wales.
- In Scotland apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for any course.
- In Northern Ireland apply to your regional Education Authority.
- Student Finance or relevant funding body will email you to say you are eligible to apply for DSA
- You will be asked to make a remote appointment with a Needs Assessment centre.
- You will meet with a Needs Advisor to discuss the appropriate hardware and software suitable for your needs and the related training.
- They will discuss with you the type of human support you may need, such as study skills and/or mentoring support.
- After your Needs Assessment, you will receive the final letter from DSA that summarises what has been agreed in terms of assistive technology, training and support.
- Student finance or relevant funding body will also outline how to arrange your DSA funded provision and support.
- It is your responsibility to contact the providers of your support directly to arrange this.
- If the University of Chichester is the provider of your support, we will ask you to complete a Pathway to set up this.
If you have questions about your DSA application, whether you are a current student or applicant, please contact our Disability and Dyslexia Service on z disabilitydyslexia@chi.ac.uk.
For more information, please see the Student Loans Company page: SLC: DSA reforms – important update
DSA will require evidence of your disability from a medical authority or appropriate specialist. If you have a specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia, they will require an assessment report from a suitably qualified assessor.
