This section tells you how you can apply for your DSA support for session 2008-2009.
You can:
- download the appropriate DSA application form;
- ask us to send you one by ticking the relevant box on your main support application form;
- contact us; or
- collect one from your institution's disability advisor.
Download application forms
You will need a PDF viewer (such as Adobe Acrobat Reader) to view the following documents. If you do not already have one installed on your system, click on the following link to download a free PDF viewer.
Download a copy of:
- the DSA FT for full-time students who have applied to us for tuition fee and/or living costs support .
- the DSA DO for full-time students not applying to us for tuition fee and/or living-costs.
- the DSA NMSB for students who are eligible to receive support under the Nursing and Midwifery Student Bursary Scheme (NMSB)
- the DSA PT/DL for part-time and distance learning students.
- the DSA Notes to help you apply for your DSA.
- the DSA NMSB Notes to help you apply for DSA under the Nursing and Midwifery Student Bursary Scheme (NMSB)
Needs assessment centres
If you have applied to us in good time, we will do our best to make sure you receive an assessment (if necessary) and that we pay the DSA costs that we have approved at the start of your course. If we refer you to an access centre for a needs assessment, you should contact the access centre if you have any questions about the progress and outcome of the assessment.
Closing dates
You must make sure that you apply before the final closing date for session 2008-2009 which is one month before the end of your academic year (this is 30 June 2009 for courses that start in autumn 2008).
Important information
- Your application for DSA is only valid for one academic session. You must apply every year.
- We will not pay you DSA for a course which you have already completed.
- If you find it difficult to fill in the form, someone else may fill it in for you as long as they have your authority to do so.
- You must send supporting documents to confirm your disability and, where possible, to recommend any course-related needs arising from it.
- If you do not have an assessment of your needs, or you send us a recommendation that we feel may not fully meet your needs, we will refer you to an access centre for another assessment. This can take time so it is essential that you apply as early as possible.
- If we refer you to an access centre, we will give them all the information you give us in respect of your claim for DSA. The assessment they do will tell us what equipment or help you need, how much it will cost and the name of a company that will be able to supply the equipment. If we refer you to an access centre for an assessment of your needs, you should contact the access centre if you have any questions about the assessment, or the recommendations they make for you.
- We aim to process all fully filled-in applications within 21 days of receiving them. If you have applied to us in good time, we will do our best to make sure you receive an assessment (if necessary) and that we issue your DSA funds that we approve to you at the start of your course.
- You must apply before the final closing date. For people who start their course in autumn 2008, the final closing date is 30 June 2009 .
- You must tell us if there is any change in your circumstances that might affect any award due to you.