DSA
At Remtek Training every team member is personally involved in ensuring that students have the tools to use their DSA equipment and/or software comfortably and confidently.
Our dedicated trainers have extensive knowledge of a range of software and make informed, bespoke recommendations for every student dependant on their circumstances.
We’re here to support DSA students in getting started with equipment and assistive technology. Our friendly engineers are on hand to help with any questions that students have.
Disabled Students Allowance
Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) is support to cover the study-related costs a student has because of a mental health problem, long term illness or any other disability.
The amount of money a student receives doesn’t depend on household income but rather the individual’s needs. DSA focuses on students’ issues and how much support they need to overcome them.
As of 2022/2023 you undergraduate and postgraduate students can get up to £25,575 a year for support.
Good news! You don’t need to pay back DSA.
This allowance helps cover costs of:
- Specific equipment. Say you need to get a computer for class because of your disability. DSA will help you with that.
- Non-medical helpers. Interpreters or note-takers will help you in class, for instance. Note that the software above-mentioned could reduce some of these potential costs.
- Commuting and any extra travel you might incur due to your disability.
Of course, DSA won’t cover the costs that any other students could face, as it would be unfair. The good thing, though, is that this allowance takes into account the students and their needs. Every student with learning difficulties or impairments needs support, and they measure how much.
You can apply for DSA if you live in England and meet any of these requirements:
- specific learning difficulty, for example dyslexia or ADHD
- mental health condition, for example anxiety or depression
- physical disability, for example if you have to use crutches, a wheelchair or a special keyboard
- sensory disability, for example if you’re visually impaired, deaf or have a hearing impairment
- long-term health condition, for example cancer, chronic heart disease or HIV
You must also:
- be an undergraduate or postgraduate student (including Open University or distance learning)
- qualify for student finance from Student Finance England
- be studying on a course that lasts at least a year
There are of course some exceptions. You cannot get DSA from Student Finance England if you’re:
- an EU student who is eligible for fee support only
- eligible for NHS Disabled Students’ Allowances (this is a separate scheme)
- getting equivalent support from another funding source, like from your university or a social work bursary
- on a higher or degree apprenticeship course
How to place a DSA order
Wondering how to get started with placing a DSA letter? To enable us to supply your DSA equipment/training, we do need a copy of your funding body approval letter. Examples can be found on our dedicated DSA page here.
Funding can come from any of the following sources:
- Student Finance England
- NHS
- Student Finance Wales
- Student Finance Northern Ireland
- Student Awards Agency Scotland
The Remtek process is as follows:
- Send in a copy of your letter
- Order confirmation and upgrades
- Delivery and installation