How To Apply For DSA
You apply, not your university
DSA is applied for through Student Finance England. You do not need to apply for full student finance to get it.
Evidence is the slow part
Most delays come from medical evidence. Getting a GP letter, diagnostic report or EHCP together early is the single most useful thing you can do.
Support is not automatic
Once your DSA2 letter arrives, you have to contact providers yourself to activate the support it lists.
The five steps
From checking eligibility to arranging the support you have been approved for.
01
Check eligibility
- Have a disability under the Equality Act 2010 (opens in a new tab)
- The condition must last 12 months or more and affect your studies
02
Apply for DSA
- Apply online or by post through Student Finance England (opens in a new tab)
- Tick the box to apply for DSA
- You do not need to apply for full student finance
03
Submit medical evidence
- Upload an EHCP, GP letter or diagnostic report
- If needed, complete the DSA disability evidence form (opens in a new tab)
- Ask your doctor or mental health practitioner to complete it
04
Book your needs assessment
- Once approved, book an in-person or remote assessment
- The two-hour session is covered by DSA
- Assessors help you identify the right support
05
Receive your DSA2 letter
- The letter lists your approved support
- This may include mentoring, software or equipment
- You must contact providers to activate it
The step people miss
Your DSA2 letter is an approval, not an arrangement
Support does not begin on its own. Once the letter arrives, you contact the providers named in it to put the support in place.
If mentoring or study skills support is on your letter, UMO can arrange it. Get in touch with the approved role, the hours and your delivery preference, and we will match a qualified practitioner.
What DSA can cover
The support your letter may name
DSA pays for study-related support rather than for living costs. What appears on your letter depends on your needs assessment.
- Specialist mental health mentoring
- Specialist autism and neurodiversity mentoring
- Specialist study skills support for SpLD or autism
- Assistive technology and training to use it
- Specialist notetaking support
Official guidance and forms
Everything you need to apply, from the organisations that decide eligibility.
Apply for DSA on GOV.UKHow to claim, online or by post, through Student Finance England.(opens in a new tab) DSA disability evidence formThe form for your doctor or mental health practitioner to complete.(opens in a new tab) Disability under the Equality Act 2010The definition eligibility is assessed against.(opens in a new tab) UMO DSA application guide (PDF)The full step-by-step guide to download and keep. UMO NMH ratesCurrent hourly rates for DSA and SAAS funded support.
Questions about applying
Answers for students applying, and for the staff helping them.
Applying
Do I need to apply for student finance too?
No. You can apply for DSA on its own. Tick the DSA box on the application.
What counts as medical evidence?
An EHCP, a GP letter or a diagnostic report. Where none of these covers it, the DSA disability evidence form can be completed by your doctor or mental health practitioner.
Does my condition have to be permanent?
It must be expected to last 12 months or more and to affect your studies.
Who decides if I am eligible?
The funding body, not your university and not UMO.
Assessment and support
What happens at the needs assessment?
A two-hour session, in person or remote, where an assessor helps you identify the support that would help. The cost is covered by DSA.
What happens after the DSA2 letter?
You contact the providers named in it to activate your support. Nothing starts automatically.
Can UMO provide the support on my letter?
If it names specialist mentoring or study skills support, yes. Contact UMO with the approved role, the hours and your delivery preference.
How long does the whole process take?
It varies, and evidence is usually the slowest part. Applying early in the academic year is the safest approach.
Need help applying or arranging your support?
Contact UMO. We can talk you through the process, or arrange the mentoring and study skills support named on your DSA2 letter.