Planning your finances for undergrad? Find out the latest DSA allowance for 2023 in our comprehensive guide.

How much is the DSA allowance for undergraduates 2023?

The Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) is a financial support program for students with disabilities or long-term health conditions who are studying higher education in the UK. It provides additional financial support to help students meet the costs of their course and cover any extra expenses incurred due to their disability. In this article, we will cover various aspects of DSA, including eligibility, the application process, and support provided.

About the Disabled Students' Allowance

The Disabled Students' Allowance is a financial support program that helps students with disabilities or long-term health conditions to cover the extra costs of their studies. It is designed to provide funding for specialist equipment, software, and support services that disabled students may need to access higher education on an equal basis with non-disabled students.

How much the DSA is for undergraduates in 2023

The amount of DSA funding an undergraduate student can receive depends on their individual needs. However, for the academic year 2023, full-time students in England can receive up to £25,000 in DSA funding, while part-time students can receive up to £18,750. The amount of funding available for postgraduate students and students in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland may vary, and students are advised to check the relevant government website for up-to-date information.

How the DSA is calculated

DSA is calculated based on the individual needs of the student. To determine the amount of DSA funding a student is entitled to, a needs assessment is conducted. This assessment is carried out by a specialist assessor who will discuss the student's disability or health condition and identify any specific support needs. The assessor will then recommend appropriate support services and equipment, which will be reflected in the amount of DSA funding awarded to the student.

What the DSA covers

DSA can cover a range of costs, including specialist equipment such as computers, printers, and assistive technology, travel costs, non-medical helpers such as note-takers, interpreters, or sign language specialists, and other disability-related expenses. DSA can also cover the cost of diagnostic assessments and study needs assessments, which may be required to identify specific learning difficulties or mental health conditions.

DSA eligibility

To be eligible for DSA, a student must have a disability or long-term health condition that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry out day-to-day activities, such as a physical disability like a visual impairment or a learning disability like dyslexia. The student must also be studying for a higher education course (including Open University or distance learning), such as a degree or postgraduate qualification, and be a UK resident. DSA is means-tested, which means that the amount of funding available may be affected by the student's household income.

International students

New international students are not eligible for DSA. However, they may be eligible for other forms of financial support, such as scholarships or bursaries. International students should check with their university or college to see what financial support is available to them.

DSA support for part-time students

Part-time undergraduate and postgraduate students are eligible for DSA, but the amount of funding available may be lower than for full-time students since extra support for only part-time courses is necessary. The amount of funding will depend on the individual needs and disability-related costs of the student, and a needs assessment will be conducted to determine the level of support required.

How to apply for Disabled Students' Allowances

To apply for DSA, students should first contact their university or college disability support service to discuss their needs. The support service will then provide the student with information on how to apply for DSA, which usually involves:

1. Filling out an application: Students will have to complete an application form on the relevant government website, such as Student Finance England, Student Finance Wales, SAAS, or the Student Awards Agency for Scotland.
2. Having a needs assessment: Students must also undergo a needs assessment, which will be carried out by a specialist assessor at an assessment centre. The assessment will identify the student's disability or health condition and determine the support needed.
3. Providing documentation: Students will also need to provide evidence of their disability or health condition, such as a diagnostic assessment or disability evidence form.

When you should apply for DSA

Students are advised to apply for DSA as early as possible, ideally before the start of the academic year, to ensure that any necessary support is in place from the beginning of their course. It is important to note that the DSA application process can take several weeks, so it is essential to apply as early as possible to avoid any delays in receiving the support they need.

Cover the cost of Speechify with DSA and boost your studying

Speechify is a text to speech software that can be used by students with dyslexia, ADHD, low vision, or other learning difficulties, impairments, or disabilities to improve their studying experience. With the help of Speechify, students can listen to any learning materials instead of reading them, which can reduce the amount of time and effort required to complete their coursework.

Speechify’s text to speech technology can read any digital or physical text aloud, allowing students to easily listen to a wide variety of study materials, such as news articles, research papers, quiz webpages, and so much more. Additionally, students can scan any physical documents, such as their notes with Speechify’s OCR (Optical Character Recognition) feature.

Better yet, students who are eligible for the Disabled Students' Allowance can apply to have the cost of Speechify covered by the allowance. If you think you could benefit from the program, discuss the possibility of having it covered through DSA with your needs assessor, and in the meantime, try Speechify out for free today to see how it can improve and boost your studying.

FAQ

Do students have to pay back the DSA?

DSA is a non-repayable grant, which means that students do not have to pay it back like student loans. However, if a student withdraws from their course or fails to complete it, they may be required to repay some or all of the DSA funding they have received in their bank account.

Who administers the DSA?

DSA is administered by Student Finance England (SFE), Student Finance Wales, SAAS, or the Student Awards Agency for Scotland, depending on where the student lives. Students must apply for DSA separately from their tuition fee loan or maintenance loan.

What is the difference between a needs assessor and social work bursary?

While a needs assessor assesses the needs of individuals or groups to determine what services or resources they require, a social work bursary provides financial assistance to students pursuing a career in social work.

Where can UK students find the application for the Disabled Students' Allowance?

UK students can apply for the Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) online through the government's student finance website at https://www.gov.uk/disabled-students-allowances-dsas.

What is an NHS student bursary?

An NHS student bursary is a financial support scheme offered by the UK National Health Service (NHS) to eligible students studying certain healthcare courses. The bursary is intended to help cover the costs associated with studying, such as tuition fees, books, and living expenses.