Disablity Student Allowance - University

[Shimy]

Is the application for DSA twofold? you first apply through UCAS (a tick box?)then go to the Gov.uk website and fill in a separate form? I'm reading so much about DSA that its all got very jumbled up in my mind. Then is there a 3rd form they are supposed to complete for the actual university?

Ticking the box on the UCAS form does not automatically start the DSA application process.

Ticking the box on the student loan application will trigger an email with a link to start the DSA application process.

1. Student applies for DSA.
2. Student uploads evidence documents.
3. DSA is approved in principle.
4. Student books and attends needs assessment.
5. Needs assessor creates report with suggested equipment, assistive technology, human support etc, including recommend supplier(s)
6. Student loan company approves funding for the things on the report.
7. Once university place is confirmed, student contacts supplier(s) to order equipment / software.
8. Equipment / software is delivered to student, who receives any training required to use them.
9. Student may need to arrange insurance of equipment; this will be paid / reimbursed by DSA.

10. Student contacts university disability services directly to arrange any human support for which funding has been approved.

Thank you so much for such a comprehensive list. Exactly what I needed. What does ticking the Box on the UCAS form do? Does it notify all the universities that the applicant might need extra support or is it just for their diversity records?

@Shimy

Thank you so much for such a comprehensive list. Exactly what I needed. What does ticking the Box on the UCAS form do? Does it notify all the universities that the applicant might need extra support or is it just for their diversity records?

From the UCAS website: "This information is not used to make a decision on your application and it is only shared with those involved in supporting you, or making the arrangements for your support."

I think ticking the box on the UCAS form means that if/when he/she gets a place, it should trigger an email from the university with information about how to access adjustments and support. But university disability support teams vary in how they work, so if it were me then I wouldn't wait for them to contact me and would contact them anyway.

DS emailed the disability support team and the accommodation team at each of the places he applied to, just to check what support they'd be able to put in place for his needs. The responses varied a lot between different universities and influenced his choices.

@Ironoaks Really appreciate your help.

Nothing to add to the how it works but to say that the assessment centre has been really helpful and prompt in dealing with my Dc's application this year.

Thanks Londonmummy that's really good to know. DS is for 2022 so hopefully and with the pandemic shifting it will be the same.

DD took a gap year and so was able to get most of this set up early.
Ironically the only thing she was waiting on was her university ID which is needed before they can book the training in how to use the s/ware. This finally can through last week, and now she can’t get a response from the uni as they’re have so many new applications to deal with!

But worth saying that up to that point it was all very smooth