Funding for Disabled Students

DSA is a non-means tested grant that can help to pay for additional support that you may need during your studies as a direct result of your disability, to help ensure you reach your full learning potential whilst at University.

The amount you will receive depends on the type of support you need.

DSA is broken down into 4 distinct types of support:

• Equipment allowance for specialist supportive equipment and assistive technology, for example computer software, ergonomic aids.
• Non-medical helper allowance to pay for support services, for example specialist one to one study skills or a specialist mentor.
• Travel allowance to cover additional travel costs incurred due to your disability.
• General allowance for small, ongoing additional expenses that you might have because of your disability, for example extra printer paper or photocopying.

You can't use Disabled Students' Allowances to pay for:

• Daily living expenses.
• The cost of medicines.
• Any course related costs that non-disabled students would be expected to pay for i.e. course text books.
• Cost of personal care that would ordinarily be provided by social services.

The amount you will receive is based on your individual needs. Further information about the process can be found on Disability Rights UK. 

For more information on how to apply and the most current figures, please visit your funding body's web page. These can be found below under Funding Bodies.​

Students must satisfy the following criteria in order to be eligible to apply for DSA:​

1. Proof of disability

You must provide suitable evidence of your disability.

For the majority of disabilities this would be an up to date letter from your Doctor or appropriate specialist. 

If you have a specific learning difference (SpLD) such as dyslexia or dyspraxia you will need a full educational psychologist’s assessment produced by a HCPS registered psychologist or a Specialist Dyslexia Teacher with a current Practice Certificate for assessing students at higher education (HE).

Further information can be found on our Setting up Support page, under Acceptable evidence of disability.

2. Nationality​

You must fall into one of the following categories: 

• UK student,
• EU student who has lived in the UK for more than five years immediately prior to starting your course for SFE (This may vary with other funding bodies),
• International student with either settled status or indefinite leave to remain in the UK.

Please note: students from overseas are not eligible for DSA but should seek funding from their sponsor.

3. Course requirements

• You can apply for DSA if you attend a publicly-funded full-time or part-time HE course in the UK,
• Part-time students are eligible for DSA as long as it is a designated course and they are studying at least 25% of the full-time equivalent. The course must last at least a year, 
• Postgraduate study includes research and taught masters, doctorates, postgraduate diplomas and certificates. If you’re applying for a Postgraduate Loan for a part-time masters degree, the course must not last more than twice as long as the full-time equivalent,
• Previous degree study will not affect your eligibility,
• Unlike the loan system, students aged 60 or over may also apply for DSA,
• You are responsible for obtaining and paying for any supporting evidence to establish your eligibility for DSA.

• Student Finance England
• Student Finance Wales
• Student Awards Agency for Scotland
• Student Finance Northern Ireland
• Student Finance Ireland
• States of Guernsey
• Isle ​​of Man
• ​States of Jersey

Most international students and students on short courses (for example, single modules) won't be eligible for DSA. In these circumstances, we would advise you to contact the Disability & Inclusion team as soon as possible in order to discuss the support you may need while studying at the University of Chester.​

Funding is broken down into 4 distinct types of support:

• Equipment allowance for specialist supportive equipment and assistive technology, for example computer software, ergonomic aids.
• Non-medical helper allowance to pay for support services, for example specialist one to one study skills or a specialist mentor.
• Travel allowance to cover additional travel costs incurred due to your disability.
• General allowance for small, ongoing additional expenses that you might have because of your disability, for example extra printer paper or photocopying.

You can't use this funding to pay for:

• Daily living expenses.
• The cost of medicines.
• Any course related costs that non-disabled students would be expected to pay for i.e. course text books.
• Cost of personal care that would ordinarily be provided by social services.

The funding regulations for Apprenticeships require students who wish to seek additional support to undertake an Assessment of Needs, this assessment determines the type of support required.

Disability & Inclusion have created an Apprenticeship Needs Assessment Flowchart to help students better understand the stages of the process.

Following discussions with an assessment centre called ATOP limited, they have confirmed that they are happy to conduct an Assessment of Needs for the University. ATOP are based on Parkgate Campus, but also have additional sites throughout the North West region.

Once you have provided suitable evidence of your disability, Disability & Inclusion will seek your consent to make a referral to ATOP for your assessment.

Further information on suitable evidence can be found on Setting up Support page under Acceptable evidence of disability. 

The assessment itself will take a couple of hours and the cost of the assessment will be met by the University in full. A Needs Assessment Report will then be completed within 10 working days and following confirmation that you are happy with its content, it will be provided to Disability and Inclusion who will look to review the recommendations and create an Apprenticeship Needs Assessment (ANA) Entitlement letter.

Your ANA Report will be sent to D&I who will aim to process it within 10 working days and create an Entitlement letter based off the recommendations.

You will receive a copy of your Entitlement letter, which will detail the next steps you will be required to take to set up your support. It will also detail what responsibilities the Apprenticeship team have. 

D&I can support you with any queries regarding your Entitlement letter if required. 

You will need to contact any Non-medical Helper (NMH) provider agreed within your Entitlement letter to initiate support. The NMH provider will then assign a suitably qualified professional to follow up with you directly. 

The Apprenticeships Team will liaise directly with any Equipment provider to confirm University funded support. Apprenticeships will then call the student asking them to follow up with equipment provider to confirm delivery location and time, including  installation.