Once your basic award has been processed and approved, you can apply for DSA through your NHS Bursary account.
After you've submitted your DSA application, you’ll be asked for recent medical evidence from your GP or Consultant. This must confirm the nature of your disability which includes a brief explanation of how your disability impacts you during your day to day activities.
Alternatively, we can accept a copy of your Local Authority EHC Plan, if applicable.
Students with Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD) such as dyslexia, must provide evidence of this by submitting a diagnostic assessment from a practitioner psychologist or suitably qualified specialist teacher assessor holding an Assessment Practising Certificate (APC).
Read further information on screening and diagnostic assessments for students with SpLDs.
If you've received DSA before from another funding authority such as Student Finance England (SFE), you must provide a copy of your previous study needs assessment report and previous DSA award letter.
Once we receive your evidence, we'll assess your application within 10 working days.
We'll confirm the outcome of your application by email.
Needs Assessment
Depending on your circumstances, you may need to attend a Needs Assessment so we can check what help you need and how much it will cost. The cost of this assessment will be paid by us.
The Needs Assessment will be carried out by a person with specialist experience at an independent assessment centre. The disability advisor at your university may be able to help you with this.
Do not arrange to take the Needs Assessment before you receive the email from us.
You must take the letter with you to confirm the cost of the assessment will be met through the DSA.
The assessment centre will send a Needs Assessment Report (NAR) to us for consideration. It must be signed and dated by the person who carried out the assessment.
We'll consider the recommendations made within the NAR and make any relevant payments within 20 working days of receiving the NAR and supporting evidence.
We'll write to you confirming the amount and type of DSA help you qualify for.