DSA grant through Student Finance

[ShalomJackie]

We will be funding DS through uni but understand that to access adjustments for his dyslexia he can apply to student finance with his ed psych report to get a funded laptop with software and they contact the uni about other adjustments. Does this still apply even if he is not having a student loan?

DSA is separate from the main student loan so not applying for a student loan shouldn't affect it.

However, DSA uses the registration details from the student loan website, so he might need to register with the website to apply for the DSA, even though he is not actually applying for the loan.

I just checked the government website. It says that if you are applying for DSA without applying for student finance, you should use a paper form instead of the student finance website.

Thank you. It is all quite new for us. DS has just been diagnosed in year 12 having masked his dyslexia/alow processing until now but was assessed after 'odd' ALIS testing.

Yes it is separate but don't hold your breath for a free laptop, you may need to pay the first £300 towards it. Is there a reason for not taking the maintenance loan?

If you don't want to apply for DSA you shouldn't have to, it should not be a bar to non financial access arrangements such as additional time in exams. However if your son would benefit from a mentor then funding for that would normally come from DSA.

Also laptops are not normally fully funded any longer, the student is asked to pay roughly £200 towards it. It can still be a good offering if he actually needs a new laptop, but if not he can get the software funded and use it on his own laptop.

Yes no need for tuition or maintenance loans. We will fund. Went down that route for older son because of expectation that he would not start paying back for a while or at least not much. Career change for him means that a fair whack goes out each month. Yes I know it means he earns a lot but he will be one that pays it all back and not get written off. The rates are ridiculous too. Having realised we made tbe wrong decision we offered to clear but he is having a capitalised lump sum instead. Younger will have fees paid and (smaller) lump sum.

It was just about accessing help he can get.

If we are just going for exam adjustments eg extra time does anyone know whether that ca be done with uni direct or does it still go through DSA?

DSA do what is called a Needs Assessment which identifies support requiring funding ie. Equipment, software, one to one mentoring. If you contact the Student Support office at the uni, whenever you know which one, they can put exam access arrangements, extra time for assignments and so on in place within the relevant faculty. Is he living in halls or at home, accommodations office can be involved if there are specific requirements ie. Quieter room or living on campus throughout.

DS1 had some stuff funded by DSA.

He also gets exam adjustments (small room, short break each hour) which were arranged by student support services.