What is Disabled Students' Allowance?

Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) provides financial support for additional study-related needs that you might have because of a disability, long-term illness or mental health problem.

 

Support is available for the following disabilities or impairments:

  • longstanding illness or health condition
  • social or communication impairment
  • physical impairment or mobility issues
  • mental health condition
  • visual impairment
  • hearing impairment
  • learning difficulty

This is not a full list. You should talk with your Disability Advisor at your college or university about your situation.

 

The type of support and how much you get is based upon on your individual needs and the requirements of the course you are studying.

 

DSA funding through SAAS is available to students who are ordinarily resident in Scotland and studying a higher education course at HNC level or above. It is separate from the main student funding that you may get from SAAS.

For full details see https://www.saas.gov.uk/guides/disabled-students-allowance

What support might be available?

DSA can help with study-related support that is needed because of your specific needs. A needs assessor will work with you to explore how your condition impacts your studies and identify the support that will enable you to study confidently, effectively and independently.

 

If appropriate to your needs, the assessor may recommend:

Specialist equipment

You may be recommended laptops, scanners or printers, ergonomic desks or chairs.

Assistive technology and training

You may be recommended specialist software or digital tools to support reading, writing, note taking, revision or planning

Consumable items

The allowance can include items such as: 

  • paper, printing and ink cartridges
  • photocopying
  • Braille or Livescribe paper

Non-Medical Personal Helpers (NMPH)

These could include:

  • note takers/scribes
  • proofreaders
  • study skills tutors
  • specialist autism or mental health mentors
  • British Sign Language interpreters

Travel

Students who cannot use public transport for all or part of their journey and are paying extra travel costs because of their disability can get travel expenses. This will normally cover travel between your home and your college or university.