DISABLED STUDENTS' ALLOWANCE

Disabled Students’ Allowance can help students with costs associated with their disability and their course. Many students may be eligible for  DSA support and not realise. DSA assessments can also highlight support you may benefit from that you didn't know was available. Some things DSA offer are:

• help with travel costs to your course associated with your disability;

• a basic consumables allowance for things like printing or special dietary requirements;

• a large items allowance to pay for things like laptops, printers, disability-related software, or ergonomic equipment like specialist desks and chairs;

• non-medical personal help like mentoring, proofreaders, scribes, and BSL interpreters;

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You can claim DSA if you are ordinarily resident in the UK (but not if you are an EU or International Student - in this case, speak to Student Services as some support may be available via other grants or the university’s discretionary funds). If you want to claim DSA, speak to your disability advisor who can tell you the evidence you will need and the forms you will need to apply. Once you apply, your funding authority will set you up a needs assessment. Depending on the disability, these can be done at the university or may need to be done at a Needs Assessment Centre. These are located throughout the country.

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Information about DSA is available from:

• the university;

• SAAS (if you live in Scotland);

• SFE (if you live in England);

• SFW (if you live in Wales);

• SFNI (if you live in Northern Ireland);

• Disability Rights UK;

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The Disability Team encourages students who might benefit from DSA to contact them in advance of starting their degree. You can apply and have a needs assessment in your local area before you arrive in St Andrews. This will allow you to have support in place at the start of your degree.