NHS funded students can receive financial support if they face extra costs to attend training because of a physical disability, a mental-health difficulty or specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia.
It is important to let your college know immediately if you have a disability, and need extra help or equipment to complete your course. Early notification is recommended, as the processing of claims can take some time.
To support your DSA application you will need to provide medical evidence of the nature and severity of your disability and, in the case of dyslexia or specific learning difficulties, to produce evidence of a recent assessment which has been carried out by a suitably qualified person.
If your disability has not recently been assessed, an assessment should be undertaken by a suitably qualified person.
You are expected to meet the costs of establishing a claim for disability, but any costs associated with identifying your course-related needs will be met on your behalf. This information will be treated as confidential. No contribution will be required from your income or that of your family towards this allowance.
This allowance is intended to cover the extra costs you specifically incur whilst training due to an existing disability. It is not intended to pay the disability related costs that you would have incurred in any case.
There are three elements to cover different areas of need:
1. Specialist equipment allowance - for major items of equipment such as a computer. This allowance also covers costs of repair, technical support, insurance and extended warranty costs arising from owning the equipment.
2. Non-medical helpers allowance - to fund the cost of note-takers, readers, dyslexia tuition support etc.
3. General allowance - this covers other disability related costs not included in the above, such as extra books, computer consumables, printing, photocopying etc. It can also be used to top up the other allowances if necessary.
The DSA's can also be used to help towards travel costs reasonably and necessarily incurred as a direct result of a disability. It does not cover normal everyday travel costs which any student would expect to have.
NHS Student Bursaries are unable to administer DSA funding for seconded, self-funded students or EU Fees Only award holders .
The following table shows the typical rates payable in 2009/10 for ALL students:
| |
Maximum Allowance |
| Helper |
up to £20,520.00 |
| Specialist Equipment |
up to £5,162.00 for the duration of the course |
| Other Costs |
up to £1,724.00 |