I have a disability. Can I get any extra help?
Yes. You may be eligible to claim for the Disabled Students' Allowance for certain extra expenses that arise because you are on the course. for certain extra expenses that arise because you are on the course. Before we can pay this allowance, you will need to fill in a form to give us more information. You can download one from this site or you can pick one up from your institution. We may refer you to an assessment centre for advice on the equipment you may need. This can take time so it is essential that you apply as early as possible.
Contact us on 0845 111 0244 or e-mail us at SAAS_4@scotland.gsi.gov.uk to get more information.
When can I apply for DSA?
We have to confirm that you have been accepted onto a course that we support before we can consider you for the additional allowances such as DSA.
The process can take time so it is essential that you apply for the DSA as early as possible. You can apply for the DSA from the end of April 2010. If you apply to us in good time, we will do our best to make sure that we issue any DSA funds that we approve to you before you start your course.
What is the closing date for applying?
The closing date for applying for DSA in session 2010-2011 is 31 March 2011.
I will not be applying to you for a student loan or for my fees. Can I apply for DSA?
If you will not be applying to us for a student loan or for your fees, you must still be eligible to apply to us for support before we can consider a DSA application. However, if you are studying a postgraduate course that we do not support you may be eligible to apply for the Disabled Students' Allowance.
If we are not paying your fees because of previous support and you do not want to apply for a student loan, you can still apply for support from the DSA only. However, if we are not paying your fees because you do not meet our eligibility requirements, you cannot apply for support from the DSA.
You should contact us if you are in any doubt about your eligibility.
How do I find out what equipment or other help I need?
If you need advice about equipment or other support you can get, the disability advisor at your institution will be able to help you.
If you are applying for DSA for the first time you will need to have a needs assessment carried out. A needs assessment is a report carried out be a qualified individual which lets us know the type of support and equipment that you need to undertake your course.
Many colleges and universities have trained staff who can carry out needs assessments. However, if there is no one at your institution who can undertake a needs assessment we can refer you to an Access Centre or institution near where you live or study.
What do I do once I have bought all of my equipment?
You must send us receipts for of all the equipment you have purchased as soon as possible. If this is going to be longer than 6 weeks you must contact us to explain why.
If the equipment you have purchased comes to less than the amount we have given you must send us a cheque made out to “Student Awards Agency for Scotland” for the unspent portion.
Please send us photocopies of all receipts as you will need to keep the originals for warranty purposes.
Can I buy different items/equipment to the ones that have been approved?
No, you must buy the items/equipment exactly as your assessor recommends though you can choose which supplier you buy your equipment from. If you are not happy with the equipment that has been recommended you should contact your assessor to discuss this before you purchase any items/equipment. Please do not phone contact us as we cannot give you approval to purchase any items/equipment that has not been recommended by your assessor.
I will be getting a dyslexia assessment by an Educational Psychologist. Who pays for the assessment?
We will not pay the costs of working out whether you have a disability or specific learning disability. We will only pay for a needs assessment report which has been done by a recognised access centre or an institution who have the necessary qualified staff to carry out the needs assessments. However, your University or College may be able to help towards this cost from their discretionary funds. Contact them directly for more information.
Do I need to send any supporting evidence to SAAS when I apply for DSA?
In the first year you apply for DSA, you must send a copy of supporting documents to confirm your disability or learning difficulty.
For dyslexia or specific learning difficulties a statement or report from one of the following:
- An Educational Psychologist
- Educational professionals who hold a Professional Association of Teachers of students with Specific Learning Difficulties (PATOSS) or equivalent qualification
- Confirmation from a previous educational establishment such as a school or college confirming that a diagnosis has been made by a relevant professional
For other medical conditions evidence on the form of a diagnosis from a qualified professional including:
- GP (General Practitioner)
- Nurse
- Occupational Therapist
- Physiotherapist
- Audiologist
- Psychiatric Nurse
Other forms of evidence:
We can also accept evidence of receipt of support or benefits that have been provided by another agency such as the Department of work and Pensions, providing they required the student to undertake a diagnosis of their disability.
However, this is not a complete list. If you have evidence from a professional that we have not listed above you should contact us to check if we can accept it before you send your form to us.
Please note that if we send you for a needs assessment your assessor may ask you to supply additional evidence before they can carry out your assessment for example a copy of your full Educational Psychologist report’s if this has not already been supplied. They will discuss this with you when they arrange their assessment.
If you are applying for help with transport costs as well as stating your disability, your medical evidence must also confirm that your disability causes you difficulty when using public transport.
Although we cannot pay for the cost of any diagnosis your institution should be able to offer you help from their discretionary funds. You should contact your institution for further advice if you have to pay for evidence of your disability.
Can I buy equipment before my course begins?
We may pay for equipment we have approved shortly before the start of your course so that it is available at the beginning of your studies. We will only make such payments if there is a strong case for you receiving them before your course starts, on the clear understanding that you will repay the money in full if you do not start and continue on your course.
What happens to the equipment when I complete my course?
All the equipment you buy with DSA is, and will stay, your property. You may decide to offer the equipment to your institution for other students to use, but you do not have to do so. You should be aware that if you decide to leave your course before you have completed it and do not transfer to another one, we may ask you to repay some or all of the cost of the equipment.
What if I transfer to another course and need different equipment?
We can only allow up to the maximum amount of the allowance for special equipment for the whole course. If you have already received the maximum, we cannot give you any more help.
What does the DSA not pay for?
DSA is a personal allowance that we pay to eligible students who have more costs for their course because of their disability. Your institution has an obligation to provide you with certain facilities to allow you to study. For example, you might need a specially adapted chair, a sloping board on your desk; or you might need to use special tools. You should talk to the disability advisor at your institution to find out what facilities will be available to you.
Please contact us if you are in any doubt about what you can use the DSA for.