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Are you entitled to additional support?
Are you entitled to additional support?
DSA is Government funded support for Higher Education (HE) students with Disabilities.
DSA is Government funded support for Higher Education (HE) students with Disabilities.
It is not cash – any equipment that a student receives is theirs to keep.
Students can apply for DSA as soon as they have their student funding in place.
Evidence is required when applying, using an Educational Psychologists’ report for an SpLD, or a Medical Evidence form for anything else.
Please note, an EHCP is not accepted as evidence by Student Finance England/Ireland/Scotland/Wales.
After application, a student will be asked to see a Needs Assessor who will design a support package for each individual. A detailed report is given to Student Finance England (Ire/Scot/Wales) and the Disability Co-ordinator.
Students applying for DSA will receive 8-10 weeks of basic support from HE Facilitators to allow them to complete the application process. After this point support will be withdrawn if DSA has not been awarded. If you have any concerns or queries please contact the Disability Coordinator.
Once a student has DSA in place, they will receive a letter from Student Finance England (Ire/Scot/Wales) breaking down their support package.
A support package can consist of Equipment such as a laptop, printer, software, Ergonomic equipment for use at home, 1:1 study skills support tutor, and/or mentoring support.
The HE support team have a number of Facilitators that can offer additional support to students, such as, note-taking*, library assistance, practical support, proofreading, etc. It is based on student’s individual needs in accordance with the needs assessment.
Please note, Facilitators do not provide in-class support in the same way as an FE LSA.
*If a student is absent from a lecture or taught session where a Facilitator is taking notes and you are receiving a copy, this support will be withdrawn unless pre-discussed and arranged with the Disability Coordinator.
It is essential that students who have had a lot of input from the FE ALS team are aware that their support will change when they progress up to HE.
If students are moving to another University/College, GBMets Disability Advisor can offer some advice and guidance, but they should be informed to contact the Disability Advisor/team of the Applying University. It is possible that the Higher Education Provider can pay for or provide the necessary evidence needed to apply for DSA.
GBMet DO NOT pay for an Educational Psychologist report for HE students that are not enrolled with GBMet.
When attending an Educational Psychologist Assessment booked by GBMet, the student will be liable for the full cost of testing if they miss their appointment or fail to give 24hr notice of un attendance. This is payable directly to the assessment company.
Further Top-up testing appointments are available for other complex neurodevelopmental assessments such as ADHD, ASD at a private cost. This is arranged and paid for directly between the company and the student.
The college DOES NOT pay for this further testing.
HE Additional support Web Intro.mp4More information about eligibility can be found here
Need to get in touch?
Need to get in touch?
If you have any concerns or queries please email he.als@gbmc.ac.uk
Student Finance England Forms Online:
Student Finance England Forms Online:
DSA1 Form for academic year 23/24 part time students or those Paying Own Fees:
Claim Form for reimbursement of costs through Disabled Students’ Allowances:
DSA1 Slim Form for academic year 23/24 full time students:
Disability Evidence Form
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