(DSA) application 2021-2022

1 1 ` Notes for the Disabled students Allowance (DSA) application 2022-2023If you would prefer, we can give you a version of these notes, as well as the DSA application forms, in the following formats: Braille Large print Audio Student Awards Agency Scotland Saughton House Broomhouse Edinburgh EH11 3UT 2 CONTENTS Section 1 about the Disabled students Allowance Introduction Page 3 Eligibility Page 3 Course eligibility Page 3 Funding Page 4 Allowances basic allowance Page 4 Allowances large items allowance Page 5 Allowances Non-Medical Personal Help (NMPH) Page 5 Travel Page 6 Section 2 how to apply for DSA Introduction Page 6 What do we require?

2 Page 6 Filling in the DSA form Page 6 Evidence Page 7 Payment of diagnosis Page 9 Assessment of needs Page 9 Main funding application Page 10 How we use the information you give us Page 11 Paying DSA Page 11 Purchasing Equipment Page 12 Overpayments Page 12 Receipts Page 13 Fraud Page 13 Processing times Page 13 Appeals and complaints to SAAS Page 14 Disputing recommendations in your needs assessment Page 14 Section 3 FAQs and contact details Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Page 15 Contact us Page 17 Other useful contacts Page 17 3 Section 1 about the Disabled students Allowance Introduction DSA is a fund to support disabled students and those with additional learning needs, who are studying a course of higher education and may have extra costs because of their impairment.

3 Eligibility To be able to apply for DSA, you must meet our eligibility criteria. To meet residence conditions, you must have been living for 3 years (ordinarily resident) before the first academic year in the: UK Channel Islands Isle of Man You must also be ordinarily resident in Scotland on the relevant date. For the majority of students who start their course in the autumn term, this would be 1 August. Relevant dates are: 1 August for courses that start between 1 August and 31 December 1 January for courses that start between 1 January and 31 March . 1 April for courses that start between 1 April and 30 June 1 July for courses that start between 1 July and 31 July To be Ordinarily Resident is to have habitual and normal residence in one place.

4 The Scottish Government would expect someone who is ordinarily resident in Scotland to have made their home in Scotland with the intention of staying and living here, and not solely for the purpose of undertaking a course of study. It should be noted that this definition does not set a requirement for the number of days, weeks, months or years a person has been living in a place before they can be considered ordinarily resident, as this will not always be the best evidence of whether or not someone is ordinarily resident Course eligibility If you are undertaking one of the following courses you may be eligible to apply for DSA: Full time: HNC, HND, Degree or PGDE Diploma or degree in nursing or midwifery An eligible full time post graduate course including PhDs (providing you are not eligible to receive DSA or equivalent support from another source such as a Research Council) Part-time.

5 Part-time undergraduate courses at HNC level or above (taking at least 50% of the length of the full-time course) Part-time postgraduate courses, including PhDs. If studying part-time you must studying at least 50% of the length of the full-time course. Distance learning courses (taking at least 50% of the length of a full-time course) Open University courses (as long as you're studying at least 60 credits in a year) 4 If you meet one or more of the following, you may not be able to get DSA funding: you are an EU student receiving a tuition fees only award you are not studying an eligible course you are receiving student support from Student Finance England, Wales or Northern Ireland you are receiving funding disability related student support from anyone else you are studying a work based learning course, and can get disability related support from your employer.

6 If you're not entitled to DSA funding from us, you may still be able to get funding from your college or university. You should speak to Disability Services at your college or university for advice. Funding The allowances The DSA is made up of three parts: 1. The basic allowance 2. The large items allowance 3. The Non-Medical Personal Help allowance (NMPH) 1. Allowances basic allowance Basic allowance How often is it paid? The basic allowance can be claimed on an annual basis for the duration of your studies.

7 What is covered? (examples) photocopying additional printing costs braille or Livescribe paper How much is available? Full time: The maximum allowance for full-time students is currently 1,725 per year. Part-time: For part-time students , the allowance is pro rata. Therefore the maximum amount you are eligible to receive is based on the intensity of your study. For example, if you are studying 50% of the full-time equivalent course each year, you will be entitled to 50% of the maximum basic allowance ( 863) per year 5 2. Allowances large items allowance Large items allowance How often is it paid? The large items allowance covers the duration of your studies. What is it for? (examples) The allowance can include the purchase or hire of items such as: disability-related software, such as voice recognition software printers/ scanners laptops/ PC s ergonomic equipment such as desks or chairs What is not covered?

8 (examples) course specific equipment any equipment or facilities that a college or university would be reasonably expected to provide under the Equality Act (2010), like site access How much is available? The maximum allowance for all students is currently 5,160 3. Allowances Non-Medical Personal Help (NMPH) Non-Medical Personal Help (NMPH) How often is it paid? NMPH can be claimed on an annual basis for the duration of your studies What is covered? (examples) British Sign Language interpreters (BSL) note takers/ scribes proof readers study skills support How much is available? Full time: The maximum allowance for full-time students is currently 20,520 per year Part-time: For part-time students , the allowance is pro rata Therefore the maximum amount you are eligible to receive is based on the intensity of your study.

9 For example, if you are studying 50% of the full-time equivalent course each year, you will be entitled to 50% of the maximum NMPH allowance ( 10,260) per year More information about using a non-medical personal helper is available in our booklet DSA NMPH allowance guide. For more details on the allowances please refer to Annex A. 6 Travel students paying extra travel costs as a result of their disability or impairment can apply for travel expenses. This will cover travel between your home and your college or university. For example, if you have visual or mobility difficulties which restrict your ability to travel by public transport. Nursing students may not claim travel expenses through both the DSA and the Nursing and Midwifery Student Bursary (NMSB) Scheme.

10 Section 2 How to apply for DSA Introduction applications will be available to download from our website in April. To make sure your funding is available for you at the start of your course, you should apply as soon as possible. The closing date applications is 31 March. What do we require? We will need the following documents if you are applying for DSA: A DSA application form which has been endorsed by your DSA Advisor Diagnostic evidence to confirm your circumstances. This may include evidence from a medical professional or Educational Psychologist A Needs Assessment Report Please note: If you are a full-time student and you also wish to apply for tuition fees and/ or living cost support, you must provide a student funding application before we can assess your eligibility to DSA.