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NHS funded students with a disability or specific learning disability may be eligible to apply for help to cover extra costs they incur whilst in training as a direct result of their disability.

The additional allowances can help with:

You can apply for DSA if you're not receiving a fees only award or are a seconded student receiving a salary.

Payments

DSA is not means tested. No contribution towards the allowance will be required from yours or your family's income.

The amount of DSA that may be approved will be based on the recommendations in your Needs Assessment Report (NAR).

The recommendations are made based on your additional requirements during a single academic year. Up to £26,291 is available each academic year.

You must contribute £200 towards the cost of any computer or laptop recommended for you.

The rates are the same if you're a part-time student.

You do not have to spend the maximum amount per year.

Any unused amounts cannot be carried over to the next year.

If you have an authorised extension period and you're eligible to receive bursary funding for this period, you may still be eligible to receive DSA where appropriate and according to your individual needs.

Applying for DSA

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.

You do not need to reapply for DSA each year.

Leave

DSA is only payable while you're in attendance at university.

Any elements of the DSA which relate solely to your actual attendance on the course will not normally be met whilst you're on a period of:

  • maternity
  • adoption
  • maternity support leave

In certain circumstances we may authorise a claim for something which took place within your period of leave.

If you're not sure about any aspect of your DSA support whilst you're on a period of authorised maternity leave, contact us for advice.