DSA FAQs

It can take 12-16 weeks to complete the DSA application process, so you are advised to apply ASAP to ensure your equipment and support is ready to access from the start of your course. Support is available from Disability team at the University while you are waiting for your DSA funded support. However, a more comprehensive package of funded support is available from DSA, so all students who may be eligible are encouraged to apply.

The support available from the University is temporary, to help in the interim, while students are wating for DSA funded provision.

Telephone: 0300 100 0607

Email: dsa_team@slc.co.uk

Contact DSA at  brailleandlargefonts@slc.co.uk or telephone: 0141 243 3686.

Please get in touch with the Disability Team at the University of Cumbria if you have any questions or need help, via the Student Enquiry Point.

You can book an appointment with a Disability Officer to discuss your DSA application.

We also have drop-in sessions for help and advice. Contact disabilityservices@cumbria.ac.uk for details.  

Many students receive help to apply for DSA. You could ask a trusted friend or family member who knows you well to accompany you to a needs assessment. Once you are enrolled, staff at the University cannot contact your parents / guardians without your agreement, so if you would like us to include them in correspondence with you about DSA, please let us know in writing to confirm you are happy with this.

If you’re studying part-time and want to apply for DSA, you must be studying at least 25% ‘intensity’ to be eligible for DSA.

If you start your part-time course on or after 1 September 2012, you must be planning to complete your course in no more than four times the duration of a full-time course in order to receive support.

For example, if the course you are studying takes 3 years to complete on a full-time basis, you must complete it in no more than 12 years studying part-time.

Yes, you can unless you are:  

• A Higher-Level Apprenticeship.
• Studying part-time at less than 25% ‘intensity’ (see above for further clarification).
• On a course that is less than 12 months in duration.
• Are a Medical or Dentistry student receiving the full NHS Bursary. Some students on other healthcare courses e.g., Nursing and Occupational Therapy, may receive some NHS funding but this should not impact their eligibility for DSA.

Medical or Dentistry students receive a full NHS Bursary and CANNOT apply for DSA.

HOWEVER, students on other healthcare courses e.g., Nursing and Occupational Therapy, may receive some NHS funding but this should not impact their eligibility for DSA. When completing the DSA application, DO NOT TICK the “NHS Bursary box” unless you are a Medical or Dentistry student as this could result in your application being turned down.

Yes, unless you are: 

• A Higher-Level Apprenticeship.
• Studying part-time at less than 25% ‘intensity’ (see above for further clarification).
• On a course that is less than 12 months in duration.
• Are a Medical or Dentistry student receiving the full NHS Bursary. Some students on other healthcare courses e.g., Nursing and Occupational Therapy, may receive some NHS funding but this should not impact their eligibility for DSA. 

If your employer is funding your course, and you are not eligible to apply for DSA, your employer is responsible for ensuring you receive the support you need. You may be able to benefit from support via the Access to work scheme.

If you want to purchase your own computer you need to email DSA for further information.

Reimbursement can only be provided for a computer; all the remaining equipment and software must be purchased from the agreed supplier.

• Your sessions should focus on developing academic skills, aiming to help promote independent ways of learning. You should receive student-centred support based on  your individual study needs. However, subject specific support and proof-reading support are outside of the remit of your support worker.
• Your support should be delivered in an  appropriate location. Support should not take place in public places such as coffee shops as these cannot offer the confidentiality required. You should be able to access your 1:1 sessions either remotely (e.g. an online video call) or face-to-face, at your choice.
• If you feel that additional hours of support are required, you will need to request these from the Needs Assessment Centre which carried out your original DSA Needs Assessment. Your support worker will not be able to provide additional hours of support without funding body approval.
• Where possible you should be given 24 hours’ notice of session cancellations.

You are expected to: 

• Arrive on time for appointments and, where possible, give 24 hours’ notice of cancellation.
• Take an active part in your support and the planning of your support.  
• Treat your support worker with dignity and respect.   
• Respect the boundaries of the support worker role and not to ask for or expect your support worker to provide any additional support that is outside the remit of their role.
• Check and sign your session time-sheets promptly. You should not be expected to sign in advance for future sessions.  

Your provider can charge for any missed or cancelled appointments if you’ve not given reasonable notice (this is usually 24 hours, but you should check this with your provider).

If you require additional non-medical helper support (not including assistive technology training) or feel different support is required, you’ll need to contact your Needs Assessor to discuss your requirements.

If you wish to do this, please email the DSA Team with your request to change provider. Your email will need to include the following information:

• type of support you want to change (e.g., assistive technology training, mentor support, etc.)

• full explanation of why you want to change and why your current provider is not suitable/unable to meet your needs

Please note, SFE can only consider change of NMH provider requests if you are not satisfied with the service being provided and you have spoken with your provider to try to rectify any issues. A full explanation for your reasons must be provided. We cannot change your provider if you have not accessed/tried to access the support from your current agreed provider.

You will not be permitted to choose your own provider.

Your provider needs to provide signed timesheets when invoicing us as this will confirm you’ve received the support. You shouldn’t sign any timesheets before you receive support.

For the 2026 academic year, Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) travel rules focus on meeting reasonable additional costs incurred as a direct result of a disability.  

These costs are calculated as the "excess" between standard public transport fares and the disability-related mode of travel required 

Key Eligibility & Caps

• England: The travel allowance is uncapped and sits outside the standard DSA limit of £27,783 for 2026. 

• Wales: Students can access a total allowance of up to £34,671 for 2026/27, which includes travel support. 

• Northern Ireland: Travel costs can exceed the standard £25,000 cap if high annual travel needs are identified in a Needs Assessment. 

• Scotland: Travel support is an "additional" allowance provided alongside standard sub-allowances for consumables and equipment 

Travel Mode & Calculation Rules 

Taxi Travel: DSA covers the cost of taxi fares minus the equivalent public transport cost for that journey. 

• Accounts: For >15 return journeys/year, the Student Loans Company (SLC) typically sets up a direct account with a licensed provider. 

• Occasional Travel: For <15 return journeys, students usually pay upfront and claim reimbursement via their Student Finance account.  

• Private Car Mileage: Set at 24p per mile. DSA covers the difference between this mileage rate and the public transport equivalent. 

• Motability: Students with a Motability car are generally ineligible for taxi support, as they are expected to use their vehicle (mileage can still be claimed at 24p/mile) 

Operational Restrictions (2025/26 Updates) 

Updated guidance from the Department for Education strictly enforces the following:  

• 3-Mile Rule: Support is generally not provided for journeys under 3 miles unless medical evidence proves the student cannot walk that distance or no safe route exists. 

• 75-Minute Rule: A "reasonable commute" is defined as up to 75 minutes door-to-door by public transport. DSA may not fund taxi costs for journeys exceeding this time unless in exceptional circumstances.  

• Daily Journey Cap: Funding is limited to one return journey (two single trips) per day. Additional trips for rest or split timetables are expected to be managed by the HEI as a "reasonable adjustment" (e.g., providing a rest room). 

• Excluded Charges: DSA typically does not cover parking charges; HEIs are expected to provide accessible parking as a reasonable adjustment 

If your circumstances change this may affect your support. For example, if you change university or college the supplier of your non-medical helpers, support may need changing. You need to email the DSA Team advising of any changes so we can ensure that your correct entitlement is in place.

If you have a medical condition(s) that hasn’t been taken into account during your Study Needs Assessment, or your medical condition worsens you need to send us a copy of your medical evidence.

Medical evidence for a new condition must confirm:

• a diagnosis of your condition

• your condition is long term (more than 12 months)

• how your condition has an adverse effect on your ability to carry out daily activities

Medical evidence for the worsening of a condition must confirm:

• how your condition has changed/worsened since your Study Needs Assessment

• that the change is permanent or long term (not temporary)

Once we receive acceptable medical evidence, we’ll write to you to confirm if you can attend a review at the Needs Assessment Centre where your previous assessment was carried out. Your Needs Assessor will make recommendations for any support you may need as a result of a new condition.

You only need to apply every academic year on a DSA full form for DSA if you:

• are a postgraduate student

• are a part-time student

• only get DSA funding (i.e., no tuition fees/maintenance loan etc.)

You don’t need to provide medical evidence and ID every year if you’re continuing on the same course at the same university or college.

This may vary depending on where you live. For example, Scottish students receiving DSA from SAAS will need to re-apply every year. Check requirements for where you live on the government website.