dsa july 2011
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Accessing Support in Higher
Education
Applying for DSA(disabled students’ allowances)
Inclusive Services Team
Edge Hill University
DisclosureEdge Hill has a duty to be ‘proactive and anticipatory’ in meeting the requirements of all students, including disabled studentsEarly contact helps to ensure ‘reasonable adjustments’ can be put in place as soon as possible.If a student chooses not to disclose this can affect how the university supports them
What is DSA?
• Disabled Students Allowance is a non means tested grant from the government that provides funding for someone who wants to study a higher education course and has a disability, ongoing health condition, mental health condition or specific learning difficulty like dyslexia
• DSA is paid on top of the standard student finance package and doesn’t have to be paid back. The amount a student is awarded depends on the type of extra help they need - not on the household income
• DSA can potentially fund: equipment, academic support, travel and additional expenses and consumables
How does a student apply?• A DSA form and guidance is available from:
www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance • If a student is applying applying for DSAs only, you
complete form DSA1 • If a student is also applying for the main student finance
package, they indicate on the main application that they want to apply for DSAs – and then complete a ‘short’ version of the DSA1 form
• Medical Evidence – Essential! For disability you need a recent letter from your doctor or specialist. For SpLD a recent Educational Psychologist report. (under review. Please check with SFE)
Who can apply?
• A student can apply if they are doing an undergraduate or postgraduate course (including a distance-learning course) that is:
• full-time and lasts at least one year
• part-time, lasts at least one year and doesn't take more than twice as long to complete as an equivalent full-time course
Disabled Students’ Allowance Process – SpLD
Disabled Students’ Allowance Process – medical condition
STUDENT DISCLOSES PRE ENTRY
ADVISORY INTERVIEW – HOW TO APPLY FOR DSA FACT FINDING, BRIDGING THE GAP INFO, APPLYING FOR DSA WITH MEDICAL EVIDENCE/ ED.PSYCH REPORT,
SET UP A STUDENT PROFILE, DISCUSSING DISCLOSURE, SR2 FORM (student to sign)/ ARE EXAMS MODIFICATIONS NEEDED?
CONTACT STUDENT BY LETTER/PHONE
LIAISE EXTERNALLY AND INTERNALLY
SEND SR2 TO PERSONAL TUTOR INCLUSIVE SERVICES PLACEMENT OFFICER EDGE HILL UNIVERSITY PERSONAL TUTOR
ONCE DSA APPLICATION HAS BEEN SENT STUDENT AWAITS LETTER FROM SFE
AUTHORISING NEEDS ASSESSMENT (NA)
NEW APPLICANTS TO BE SENT A DISCLOSURE FORM IN AUGUST
STUDENT ARRANGES NEEDS ASSESSMENT (NA)
ASSESSED REPORT
FOLLOW UP DISCUSS RECOMMENDATIONS, APPOINTMENT OF AGENCY
SUPORT, HOW TO ACCESS EQUIPMENT IF APPLICABLE, EXAM MODIFICATION FORM BASED ON NA, SUBMIT TO INCLUSIVE
SERVICES EDGE HILL UNIVERSITY
LETTER FROM SFE AUTHORISING FUNDING FOR SUPPORT/EQUIPMENT
LIAISE INTERNALLY EXAM MODS,
DEPARTMENTAL/INSTITUTIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS FROM NA
MONITOR AND REVIEW
Disable Student Allowance Process, Partner Colleges – students with medical condition
What happens next?• Student Finance England (SFE) or NHS Bursaries will assess
the students claim and make a decision. • They will receive a letter requesting that you contact the
university and have a needs assessment• Advice is given to students about how they book a Needs
Assessment • Following the Needs Assessment, SFE will contact the student
letting them know if they agree with the recommendations made by the assessor. It is then that equipment/support can be put in place
If you have any concerns or are unsure about any of the steps when a student applies for DSA please contact
Inclusive Services Team:
The Students responsibilities!
• Contact your services as early as possible to discuss their requirements
• Obtain their medical evidence and follow the guidance to apply for DSA online
• Send the relevant documents to Student Finance England or NHS Bursaries
• Talk to your team in confidence, keep you informed and contact your services if they have any queries