Disabled Students' Allowance
If you’re studying at Kingston University and have a disability, long-term health condition, mental health condition or specific learning difference (SpLD), you may be able to claim Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA). Here’s everything you need to know about accessing your support.
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What is Disabled Students’ Allowance?
Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) is external funding to cover the cost of studying in Higher Education as a result of a disability. It provides funding for support rather than monetary payments and this support is based on the impact of your individual disability. DSA does not cover the cost of support that you would require if you were not a student e.g. personal care or support that all students require e.g. subject-specific support.
DSA can be claimed on top of any other student finance or benefits.
It does not need to be paid back.
- It is based on your individual needs, not your income.
You can apply for DSA through your Student Finance provider in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
Who is eligible for DSA?
To be eligible for DSA you need to meet the following criteria:
- You're a UK resident or have been in the UK for a sustained period of time (as stated by your funding body).
- You're an undergraduate or postgraduate student on a course that lasts at least a year (including part-time, Open University and distance learning courses).
- You have a disability, medical condition, sensory impairment, mental health condition or specific learning difficulty that affects your ability to study.
You are not eligible if:
- You're an international student
- You get equivalent support from another source, such as an NHS or Social Work Bursary
- You're studying a foundation course which doesn't directly lead to an undergraduate course e.g. Foundation Diploma in Art, Design & Media Practice
- You're studying a short course
- You're studying for an apprenticeship programme
You can find out more about eligibility from your student finance provider:
- England: Student Finance England (SFE)
- Scotland: Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS)
- Wales: Student Finance Wales
- Northern Ireland: Student Finance NI
What does DSA cover?
DSA goes towards study costs that are related to your disability. It can pay for:
- non-medical helpers such as BSL interpreters, 1-1 study skills tutors or specialist mentors
- specialist equipment or assistive technology
- printing costs
- travelling to and from university.
DSA does not cover disability-related costs that you would have whether you were a student or not, such as personal care support. Nor does it cover costs that every student might have, such as books and food.
Applying for DSA
You can apply for DSA with an online or paper application. Follow the links below to find out how to apply based on your location.
- England: Student Finance England (SFE)
- Scotland: Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS)
- Wales: Student Finance Wales
- Northern Ireland: Student Finance NI
Current students can apply for DSA at any time.
Applicants and offer holders can apply anytime before their course starts. We recommend you start your application in May before your course begins.
The application process can take up to 14 weeks. Make sure you apply as early as possible.
- Complete your application for DSA. Submit this to your funding body along with evidence of your disability. This will be the same as the evidence required to register with the Disability and Mental Health Service at Kingston University.
- Once approved, you will be invited to book and attend a Study Needs Assessment.
- Attend your Study Needs Assessment. This is an informal discussion where you will talk about the barriers to learning you have and the support you need. Your Study Needs Assessment will take place either online or in person.
- Wait for the DSA to receive and process your Study Needs Assessment report. This takes around two weeks.
- Once funding for support has been approved, the DSA will send you a DSA2 Letter confirming your support and which suppliers have been approved.
- Contact the suppliers listed in your DSA2 Letter to order your equipment and/or set up your non-medical support.
For support with applying for DSA, please contact us at [email protected].
Get in touch
Can’t find the information you’re looking for?
You can contact us by telephone on +44 (0)20 8417 6000 (via the Information Centre) or +44 (0)20 8417 9000 (via the switchboard). Alternatively you can contact the disability team via email.
SignVideo Access is also available for BSL Users to communicate with us by phone.
Our Disability and Mental Health Advisers offer free appointments to discuss the support available at Kingston University. Current students can book through the Student Hub, offer holders and applicants can book via email.