I began my course and was struggling with academic writing. I think I may have dyslexia. My tutor referred me to Disability Services. I completed a screening form, and booked an appointment with a Specialist Learning Advisor at the University. My scores confirmed it was likely I had dyslexia, so they offered me some study skills sessions from the University while I was waiting for further support. They referred me for further assessment with and Educational Psychologist, who formally diagnosed me with dyslexia. I then used my Educational Psychologist report as my evidence, and applied for DSA. Once I received my DSA2 I began accessing study skills with the external provider that my needs assessor had recommended.
DSA FAQs
Click on one of the drop downs below for more information.
General Questions
1. How long does it take to apply for DSA?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.
Help and advice
3. I have a question; how do I contact DSA?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.
Eligibility
7. My course is part time, am I studying at enough intensity?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.
Equipment and support (non-medical help)
11. Can I purchase a computer from the internet or high street supplier?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.
Change of Circumstances
17. My circumstances have changed, what do I do?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.
Case study examples
You can visit our How to Apply for DSA page for more information.
You can also see our DSA step-by-step guide for more in depth support.