I am applying for DSA (Disabled Student Allowance) for the first time – what do I have to do?

Applying for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) for the First Time

If you’re applying for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) for the first time, follow these steps:

1. Check Your Eligibility

   • You may be eligible if you have a disability, long-term health condition, mental health condition, or specific learning difficulty (such as dyslexia)
   • DSA is available for UK students who meet the residency and course requirements.

2. Apply for DSA

   • If you’re applying for student finance, you can apply for DSA as part of that application. If not, you can apply separately via your funding body (like Student Finance England, SAAS, Student Finance Wales, or Student Finance NI)
   • You’ll need to complete a DSA application form, available on your funding body’s website.

3. Provide Medical Evidence

   • You will need to submit medical or diagnostic evidence of your condition. This could be:
     • A letter from your doctor or specialist
     • A diagnostic report (such as for dyslexia or other learning difficulties).

4. Attend a Needs Assessment

   • If your application is accepted, you’ll be invited to a needs assessment. This is a free, informal appointment where a specialist will discuss the support and equipment you may need for your studies
   • You can choose an approved assessment centre, and we can help you find one.

5. Receive Your Support

   • After your assessment, you’ll receive a report outlining the recommended support (such as assistive technology, mentoring, or extra time in exams)
   • Your funding body will confirm what support will be covered and how to access it.

Need Help?

Our University’s disability support team can help with your application and answer any questions. You can:

• Attend a DSA drop-in session – ASSIST runs DSA-focused drop-ins every Wednesday in LH009 behind SID from 11:00-13:00 and 13:30-15:30
• Contact us at assist@northampton.ac.uk or visit the Disabled Student Allowance page for more information.