Disabled Students Allowance
Disabled Students Allowance is a targeted grant that can pay for study related costs which may be incurred at university as a result of a long term medical condition, sensory impairment, specific learning difference, mental health issue, autistic spectrum condition or physical disability.
▾ Who is eligible?
Many students, particularly those with long term physical or mental health conditions, do not realise they are eligible for DSA. To find out if you are, please click here to be taken to the gov.uk web pages
▾ DSA support for students with mental health conditions
When you have mental health difficulties, you are often encouraged to access treatment, such as medication or talking therapies. Services that provide these types of support are available from the NHS or privately, and the exact configuration or availability of these services depends on where you study/live and the types of difficulties you experience.
You are also encouraged to think about rights, resources or broad support networks. Some students do not feel that their difficulties entitle them to these types of considerations; they may assume that the situation cannot be changed, or that other people's difficulties are much worse or more worthy than theirs. However, if you experience mental health difficulties it is worthwhile talking about these issues with a Mental Health Adviser at the University.
Some students may be entitled to claim extra financial assistance to help with any additional costs they incur as a result of their mental health difficulties, and this page provides more detail.
▾ How do I apply?
Student Finance England , Student Finance Scotland , Student Finance Northern Ireland, Student Finance Wales, Student Finance for States of Guernsey and Student Finance for Jersey all have their own forms so you need to choose the form based on your home address.
There is no fixed deadline to apply but once the academic year has started you have 9 months to apply for DSA for the current academic year. Covid-19 update: If you need Section 5 of your DSA application form completing by the University, you should post it off directly to DSA unsigned. DSA will then email the University to confirm the missing information, allowing your application to be processed.
When your application has been approved, you will be asked to book a Needs Assessment. You can find your nearest centre here by inserting your postcode. Covid-19 update: You should check with your nearest assessment centre how they are conducting assessments during this time.
You will receive a report following your Needs Assessment, which will be sent to your Funding Body. They will then write you a letter confirming which support has been agreed and explain how to arrange it.
▾ Contacting the DSA teams
Below are the numbers to call regarding student finance queries depending on your funding body;
Student Finance England: 0300 100 0607
Student Finance Wales: 0300 200 4050
Student Finance Northern Ireland: 0300 100 0077
Student Awards Agency for Scotland 0300 555 0505
▾ Hereward Assessment Centre
Hereward Assessment Centre has a base at Loughborough University. Book your DSA Needs Assessment by calling 02476 426146 or emailing access@hereward.ac.uk
Travel information to the campus can be found here
We are in the Student Service’s Bridgeman Building, number 53 in the Central Park area of campus on this map.
Covid-19 update: Please refer to Hereward’s webpages here for any changes to their assessment process during this time.
▾ NMH for Assessors
Details about the type and cost of support available at Loughborough University (via the Counselling and Disability Service) are given below:
▾ Information for Non-Medical helpers visiting campus
We recommend that you classify yourself as a visitor to the campus (similar to a parent visiting or a UPS driver making a delivery). The alternative is to be classed as a form of sub-contractor visiting the site which attending a full formal induction for working on site, providing us with copies of risk assessments, proof of public liability insurance etc. If you would prefer this please contact DSA@lboro.ac.uk
For visitors there are no formal, separate, Health and Safety or Fire safety policies; these areas fall within the University’s main Health and safety policies. We have a responsibility to:
- Eliminate accident potential as far as it reasonably practicable
- Conform with the statutory duties and University codes of practice
- Ensure that risk assessments are conducted and that adequate control measures are introduced and maintained
- So far as is reasonably practicable as regards any place of work under the employer's control, the maintenance of it in a condition that is safe and without risks to health and the provision and maintenance of means of access and egress form it that are safe and without such risks.
We ask that as visitors, you:
- Advise a staff member of anything that could pose a risk or hazard to yourself and/or others
- Adhere to the fire safety notices in any buildings that you enter. Should a fire alarm go off please evacuate immediately via the nearest fire exit
- Adhere to the campus speed limit
- Do not act in a way that creates hazards and/or, as is reasonably practicable, risks for other people
- Report any near misses or accidents to a member of staff during your visit to campus
Accessing the site and parking
To access the site you will need to go to a security booth at a visitors entrance. You will need to advise them who you are visiting and they will issue a permit to enter the site. If you also advise security where you will be meeting the student then they can direct you to the nearest car park.
Booking rooms
As you are external to the University you will need to book a room through the Imago sales office. You can contact them:
Phone: 01509 633 030
Email: info@welcometoimago.com
Web: https://www.welcometoimago.com/
Accessing course material or classes
You will need to contact the student's academic department to facilitate access to any classes, tutorials or course materials. This includes being set up with an external user ID for the university IT system. You can find each departments contact details online.
▾ Student cancellation policy
- Please ensure that you put your agreed appointments in your diary. There is high demand for appointments, so it is important that you make it a priority to attend all booked sessions.
- In the event of non-attendance, please provide as much notice as possible, so that we can accommodate another student who may be waiting. If you need to cancel an appointment, please contact your Mental Health Advisor (or studentwellbeing@lboro.ac.uk), Specialist Mentor (or StudentInclusion@lboro.ac.uk) or Specialist Study and Strategy Support Tutor (or StudentInclusion@lboro.ac.uk) as soon as possible so that we can offer it to another student
- We understand there may be times due to unforeseen circumstances or illness that you may not be able to attend your appointment and will therefore need to cancel on the day of (under 24 hours). If this happens, it is important that you contact your Mental Health Advisor (or studentwellbeing@lboro.ac.uk), Specialist Mentor (or StudentInclusion@lboro.ac.uk) or Specialist Study and Strategy Support Tutor (or StudentInclusion@lboro.ac.uk) stating why you have had to cancel your appointment.
- Unfortunately, if you miss 2 sessions for any reason (including illness/unforeseen circumstances), your future sessions may be offered to another student. The DSA regulations state that we must advise them immediately once you have missed 2 appointments, so that they are aware of your circumstances.
- The impact of any non-cancellation of appointments will result in contact from your tutor/advisor or the Service Manger to review your support moving forwards.
If you have any questions and comments or need to contact us about your support, please email: StudentInclusion@lboro.ac.uk or studentwellbeing@lboro.ac.uk. Any complaints will be processed in line with the University's Complaints Procedure