DSA Assessments with Access2Learn
Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) supports disabled students in higher education through funding support to help them succeed in their studies. Students applying for DSAs are invited to attend an appointment (called a Needs Assessment) with an assessor to discuss what support is required.
Since 2016, Access2Learn have been delivering high-quality needs assessments for students in receipt of DSA and are a nationwide provider of DSA Needs Assessments, working with Funding Bodies to provide tailored recommendations and support to students all across the UK. If you are a new student applying for DSA, you will need to get in touch with your Funding Body to begin the application process. You can find lots of useful information and contacts below, and when you are ready to book your assessment, please visit our booking page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSA)?
Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) are grants that help to pay for extra equipment and support that you may need as a direct result of your disability, on-going health condition, sensory impairment, mental-health condition or specific learning difficulty.
Am I eligible for DSA?
If you have a Disability, on-going health condition, sensory impairment, mental-health condition or specific learning difficulty such as Dyslexia or Dyspraxia, you could be eligible for DSA support. You must also be a UK student on a higher education course, studying one of the following:
- a first degree, eg BA, BSc or BEd
- a Foundation Degree
- a Certificate of Higher Education
- a Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE)
- a Higher National Certificate (HNC)
- a Higher National Diploma (HND)
- a Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE)
- a Postgraduate course
- Initial Teacher Training
Do I need medical evidence?
Yes, in order to apply for DSA support, you must be able to demonstrate how your Disability, on-going health condition, sensory impairment, mental-health condition or specific learning difficulty affects your ability to study
This can be in the form of a Doctors Note/Letter, or a Diagnostic Report.
With Specific Learning Difficulties such as Dyslexia, the Diagnostic Report must be in the form of a Post 16 Years Assessment from a Chartered Psychologist with a Health Professional Council (HPC) certificate, or a specialist dyslexia teacher with a practising certificate.
How do I apply for DSA?
We recommend that you apply for DSA support as soon as possible, to ensure that your support is put into place as soon as possible. You are able to apply before you have received confirmation of a final place of study, and if your circumstances change after your needs assessment, we can ensure the relevant people are updated. We have included a list of Funding Bodies below:
Student Finance England
Web: www.gov.uk/disabled-students-allowance-dsa/how-to-claim
Phone: 0300 100 0607
Email: dsa_team@slc.co.uk
Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS)
Phone: 0300 555 0505
Student Finance Jersey
Student Finance Wales
NHS and NHS Social Work Bursaries
Web: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-bursary-students/contact-us
Phone: 0300 330 1345
Student Finance Guernsey
When can I book my assessment?
Once you have applied for DSA with your Funding Body, they will write to you and confirm if you are eligible and how to book.
Student Finance England
Student Finance England will confirm your entitlement and also let you know who will be carrying out your DSA Assessment. This will either be Study Tech or Capita due to recent reforms in the DSA sector
Student Finance Wales
Student Finance Wales will confirm your entitlement and also let you know who will be carrying out your DSA Assessment. This will either be Study Tech or Capita due to recent reforms in the DSA sector
NHS
NHS will confirm your entitlement and include a link to find your nearest DSA Assessment Centre. Alternatively, you can use our booking form and book directly with Access2Learn.
SAAS
If you are a Scottish student studying at an English University, SAAS will confirm your entitlement and send your contact details to their chosen DSA provider, who should reach out to get you booked in.
Student Finance Jersey
Student Finance Jersey will issue you with a letter confirming eligibility and asking you to book an appointment. If you would like to book with Access2Learn you can use our online booking form.
Student Finance Guernsey
Student Finance Guernsey will issue you with a letter confirming eligibility and asking you to book an appointment. If you would like to book with Access2Learn you can use our online booking form.
If you are ready to book your DSA Needs Assessment, please visit our booking page and complete our online form.