Disabled Students' Allowance
- What is DSA?
- What is regarded as a Disability?
- Who is Eligible?
- Who is Ineligible?
- What can be claimed?
- How do you claim?
What is DSA?
Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) is funding for students who by reason of their disability incur additional expenditure arising from attendance on their course.
What is regarded as a Disability?
According to the Disability Discrimination Act a person is disabled if they have ‘a mental or physical impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities’.
This might include anyone who:
- is dyslexic.
- is a wheelchair user.
- has a mobility problem.
- is deaf.
- has a visual impairment.
- has a clinically recognised mental health problem.
- has epilepsy.
- has a fluctuating condition such as arthritis.
- has a progressive condition such as MS or HIV from the time when it first becomes symptomatic.
- has a severe visible disfigurement.
- has any other disability which significantly affects their normal day-to-day activities.
The impairment needs to have lasted, or be likely to last, 12 months or more.
Who is Eligible?
Anyone with a disability who is
- undertaking a full-time HNC, HND, degree or equivalent level course.
- undertaking an eligible full-time postgraduate course.
- undertaking at least 50% of an eligible full-time equivalent Higher Education course leading to an HNC, HND, degree or equivalent level course. This constitutes two modules per Semester totalling 60 points per annum at Paisley. Note that the award is pro-rata to the enrolment e.g. 3 modules per semester may receive 75% total allowance, 2 modules may receive 50% total allowance.
- a resident in the UK for the 3 years immediately prior to commencement of course.
- ordinarily resident in Scotland on the first day of your course.
- from 2002-2003 Nursing Students are now eligible for DSA funding.
Who is Ineligible?
- Anyone not resident in the UK for 3 years prior to enrolment.
- Anyone taking a course or repeat year not supported by SAAS.
- Sandwich course students on full-year paid placement.
- 'Training for Work' students.
What can be claimed?
- Basic Allowance: For small items of equipment like tapes, Braille paper, special dietary needs etc.
- Large Items of Equipment Allowance: For major items like a CCTV to enlarge book print, PC and specialist software etc.
- Non-Medical Personal Help: For helpers like interpreters, lip readers, note-takers, wheelchair assistants etc.
How do you claim?
- Please contact the Enabling Support team. Phone 0141- 848 3518 for an appointment or email: enablingsupport.paisley@uws.ac.uk.
Contact the Welfare team, Student Advisory Service, J Block for other financial advice.