Disabled Students Allowance (DSA)

What is the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA)?

The allowance can be used to provide the necessary, extra support that students with disabilities need. Its aim is to provide funding for items that will help level the playing field.

Further information about DSA and how to apply

What can be provided?

The DSA is there to provide funding to cover the extra costs that arise as a result of your HE course, and as a direct consequence of your disability. The DSA can provide human support, equipment, and help towards other general disability-related costs, and travelling. It cannot fund: disability-related costs that you would have whether you were a student or not, and study costs that every student might have.

Who can apply for the DSA?

In general, any UK Higher Education student who has evidence of a disability can apply (including those with Specific Learning Difficulties such as Dyslexia). Any non-UK students should contact accessibility@aber.ac.uk 

Where do I start?

Please see the Application Procedure section below for more information. For further advice contact the Accessibility Services (accessibility@aber.ac.uk).

Application Procedure

  • Collect and scan copies of your evidence/diagnosis of disability e.g. Educational Psychologist/Specialist Teacher's Report, Doctor's Letter or DSA medical evidence form
  • Apply for DSA and upload evidence on your Student Finance account, or email a DSA form plus evidence to relevant Student Finance - Student Finance England/Wales, SAAS, SFNI, FSD (Eire). See their websites for details
  • Wait for a DSA1 email/letter of Eligibility from Student Finance which will explain the next step of having a Needs Assessment - you should be contacted directly
  • Attend your needs assessment - this will recommend what you need to study successfully e.g. tutoring, mentoring and exam provision
  • Make sure that the Accessibility & Inclusion Team gets a copy of the assessment report (accessibility@aber.ac.uk)
  • Student Finance will send you a final DSA2 email/letter of Entitlement explaining your provisions and the supplier's details
  • If you are entitled to any software/equipment, the supplier will contact you. For 1:1 support, you will need to send the provider a copy of the DSA2 Entitlement Letter
  • AU Accessibility & Inclusion Team will put in place recommended provision and liaise with your department (with your permission)
  • If you have been recommended a tutor/mentor through Aberystwyth University, you will be contacted by email. Always remain in contact with the Accessibility & Inclusion Team
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