|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
STEP 1 – Getting the evidence
STEP 2 – Filling in the form
STEP 3 – Booking the Needs Assessment
STEP 4 – The DSA Assessment of Needs
STEP 5 – The DSA Needs Assessment Report
STEP 6 – Putting the support in place
STEP 7 – Enjoy your course!
STEP 1 – Getting the evidence
In order to qualify for the Disabled Students’ Allowances, you must provide medical evidence of your disability. This could be a medical report, doctor’s letter, or, in the case of a specific learning difficulty, an educational psychologist’s report. You are responsible for the cost of obtaining this evidence. [BACK TO TOP]
STEP 2 – Filling in the form
Are you applying to your funding body for a student loan? If so, you will need to fill in a PN1 form.
At the top of page 2, tick the box to indicate that you have a disability. You should also send in your medical evidence with the form. If you are not applying to your funding body for a loan, or if you are applying for DSA at a later stage (i.e. when your PN1 form has already been submitted), you will need to fill in a DSA1 form.
Send the form off to your funding body – which could be your Local Authority, NHS Student Finance Direct, the Student Awards Agency for Scotland, or a research council. |
|
|
|
STEP 3 – Booking the Needs Assessment
Your funding body will write to let you know whether you are eligible for DSA. If eligible, the letter will ask you to contact an Assessment Centre (such as CLASS) for a DSA Needs Assessment. |
|
| |
|
| The Centre will invoice your funding body directly – you will not be charged at all for this Assessment. |
|
| |
You can arrange an appointment by calling us on 0800 0153158, or clicking here. Directions on how to find us are here.
CLASS will confirm the appointment by sending you a letter.
[BACK TO TOP] |
|
|
| |
|
STEP 4 – The DSA Assessment of Needs
Assessments are fairly informal meetings and nothing to be concerned about – they do not entail further testing. You will discuss the effects of your disability or specific learning difficulty with a Needs Assessor, who will suggest strategies to help overcome the impact of the disability on your study. You may have the opportunity to experiment with different kinds of assistive technology, ranging from ergonomic supports to specialist dyslexia software. [BACK TO TOP] |
|
|
| |
STEP 5 – The DSA Needs Assessment Report
After the assessment, your Assessor will produce a DSA Needs Assessment Report outlining your needs and recommended strategies. Depending on the nature of your disability, these may include recommendations for equipment, human support, and travel assistance. |
|
| You should receive a copy of this report within 20 working days. A copy will go to your funding body at the same time, unless you have asked to see a draft copy first. If you wish, we can also send a copy to the Disability Adviser at your institution. [BACK TO TOP] |
|
|
|
|
STEP 6 – Putting the support in place
Your funding body will contact you if they accept your Assessor’s recommendations, and explain how to go about obtaining your recommended support. For instance, if you have been recommended equipment, they will usually order this directly from the supplier, who will contact you to arrange delivery. However, some funding bodies prefer to pay money directly into your bank account, in which case you will need to order the equipment yourself. |
|
|
|
| |
|
Non-medical helpers assistance, such as study skills tuition or note taking support, can often be arranged directly through your institution. Your Disability Adviser can suggest how to proceed.
For other kinds of support, such as travel assistance or photocopying expenses, you may need to send receipts to your funding body for reimbursement. We recommend that you check first with your funding body before incurring such expenses.
[BACK TO TOP] |
|
|
STEP 7 – Enjoy your course!
The Disabled Students’ Allowances are intended to help you fulfil your potential in higher education. If you have any further queries about this process, just give us a call. [BACK TO TOP] |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
