Students with disabilities may have extra costs that are directly related to their course. Students can apply to SAAS (for HE study) or to their college (for FE study) for extra funding on top of the standard student support packages available. This does not include any costs arising from your disability that you would normally have to pay if you were not studying.
If you apply for extra help, you will first have to have a professional assessment of the equipment or help you need to do your course. Your college or university will help to identify what support you will need on your chosen course.
Your college or university will also provide you with certain facilities to allow you to study. For example, a specially adapted chair or special tools.
You can contact the disability adviser at your college, university or distance-learning provider for more information.
Higher Education: The Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)
Who can get one?
You may be eligible if you meet all of these conditions.
- You have a disability which means you have additional expenses if you undertake a Higher Education course.
- You meet the residence conditions.
- You are studying at least 50% of an appropriate full-time equivalent Higher Education level course.
What is it?
The DSA is made up of three parts:
- The basic allowance
This is a yearly allowance and this year you can apply for up to £1,640 for any small items of equipment you might need. You can also apply for any special food that a doctor has said is necessary for your condition if this food would cost you more. For example, if you have to buy gluten free foods.
- The allowance for large items of equipment is calculated at the start of your course and the allowance is meant to cover the whole course. The types of equipment include personal computers, Braille printers or note-takers, portable loops or radio aids and close circuit television to enlarge book print. For 2008-09, the maximum you can apply for large equipment is £5,030.
- Non-medical personal help
This is a yearly allowance for course-related personal help and you can get up to £20,000 in 2008-2009. The types of help SAAS will pay for include:
- readers for people with sight difficulties;
- sign language interpreters;
- lip speakers;
- note-takers;
- helpers for people in wheelchairs; or
- some transcription costs.
The amount of DSA you can receive does not depend on your or your family’s income.
How to apply for the DSA
You need to fill in a DSA application form and send it to SAAS. You can get one:
- from the website at www.saas.gov.uk; or
- from your institution’s disability adviser; or
- by phoning SAAS on 0845 111 0244.
Further Education: Additional Support Needs for Learning Allowance
This is a bursary allowance, for travel and study related costs, available to students whose disability means they have additional personal expenditure arising from attendance at college. The allowance is not income-assessed.
The purposes and level of support available through this allowance are not restricted, but should reflect your needs assessment. It should be used when you require education-related support that is not the responsibility of any other body or fund.
Items costing over £500 bought with this allowance remain the property of the college.
VAT exemption
In certain circumstances, you may be eligible for VAT exemption. You should discuss this with your supplier of equipment. You should contact HM Revenue and Customs to find out about VAT reliefs for disabled people, or visit their website www.hmrc.gov.uk
Benefits
Jobcentre Plus assesses students’ entitlement to income-related benefits. Full-time students are generally not eligible to claim benefits. But full-time students with dependants and students with disabilities may be eligible in certain circumstances. It is important to discuss this with your college, university or distance-learner provider student advisor as well as your Jobcentre Plus office.