DSA Needs Assessments
What is a DSA Needs Assessment?
Are you eligible?
How do I prove my condition?
What is the process?
How to book your DSA Needs Assessment
A DSA Needs Assessment is a confidential, one to one discussion between you and a trained specialist Needs Assessor to identify your learning support needs. The Needs Assessor will then write a comprehensive and detailed report that makes formal recommendations to your funding body as to the support required for your studies.
You are eligible for Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) if you have a physical condition or a Specific Learning Difficulty which affects your ability to study for which you are able to provide appropriate evidence. In addition to this, you would normally have to meet one or more of the following conditions:
You qualify for funding support from student finance
You are an undergraduate or postgraduate student
You are an Open University (OU) student
You are studying on an Initial Teacher Education (ITE) course
You are studying on foundation year course in Higher Education
Depending on the nature of your condition, this will direct the proof required by your funding body.
If you have an SpLd, you will need to provide your diagnostic assessment report which must have been conduct by an appropriately qualified assessor. If you have a physical disability or long-term mental health condition, a report or letter from your GP or appropriate specialist will be required. The first thing you will need to do is complete the DSA1 application form. If you are eligible for DSA funding your funding body will contact you and let you know how to arrange your DSA Needs Assessment.
You can contact us to arrange a convenient time for your Needs Assessment via email, telephone or online. Once an appointment has been booked, we will confirm this via email and send you directions on how to find us. We will request your support documents (e.g. your DSA eligibility letter and your SpLD Diagnostic Assessment Report or signed medical evidence form are sent through to us so that your Needs Assessor can prepare for your meeting.
During your meeting, you will be able to discuss your needs and work out what with your Needs Assessor the best support you need to help you with your studies. After the meeting, we will send you a copy of your report which we also send to your Student Finance funding body on your behalf. You funding body will review the report and let you know directly what support you have been given in the DSA2 letter which they will send to you, usually within two weeks.