DSA Funded Support
Find out more about DSA support and how we can help.
You can apply for DSA (Disabled Students’ Allowance) if you live in England and have a disability that affects your ability to learn, such as a:
- learning difficulty, for example, dyslexia or ADHD
- long-term health condition
- mental health conditions like anxiety or depression
- physical disability
DSA support is available to:
- undergraduate or postgraduate students (including distance learning)
- individuals who qualify for student finance from Student Finance England
- Students who are studying at least a one-year course
DSA funded Courses from UK Higher education providers:
- First degree, for example, BA, BSc or BEd
- Foundation Degree
- Certificate of Higher Education
- Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE)
- Higher National Certificate (HNC)
- Higher National Diploma (HND)
- Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE)
- Postgraduate course
- Initial Teacher Training (ITT)
How to apply?
Do you have DSA (Disabled Students Allowances)?
If you are a student in Higher Education you can have your support paid for as part of Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSA). You’ll need to apply for DSA via Student Finance England (SFE) first.
Apply for DSA
To download a paper application DSA form, click hereor speak to your University if you are not eligible for DSA support or awaiting assessment.
DSA will assess your claim
This could be a formal medical diagnosis or a working diagnosis from your GP whilst you wait for assessment.
Needs Assessment
This report includes a recommendation for the support you need; this is sent to Student Finance England (SFE) for approval.
DSA2 letter
If approved, You will receive this confirmation in an email and withyour DSA2 letter of entitlement which will be your key to getting your support setup.
Send your DSA2 letter to us
To begin getting help from Specialist Academic Support, we will need:
- Your entitlement letter –called a DSA2 for Disabled Students Allowances. Your funding body insists that we have a copy of this letter before support can be provided.
- A copy of your needs assessment document –you can, however, choose not to disclose this with us if you prefer not to; but having this information helps us deliver needs-based support.
Please send your DSA2 letter to contact@specialist-academic-support.co.uk
Specialist Academic Support is an accredited DSA Non-medical helper (NMH) provider.
Specialist Academic Support will match you with appropriate support
We will assign you a Study Skills and/or Specialist Mentor support tutor based on careful consideration of the information provided. If consent is given, we will collaborate closely with University Support Services to provide high-quality, coordinated support.
We have talented and experienced support staff waiting to work with you.
Need further help?
If you have any questions about your DSA, Needs Assessment or your Entitlement Letter or how to name us as a provider, Please contact us by emailing us at contact@specialist-academic-support.co.uk or completing our contact form.