DSA information

Thinking of studying away from Guernsey? Some Higher Education students are able to apply for funding, and some can access a Disabled Student Allowance.

The States of Guernsey update a summary of Higher Education funding each year and the 2018/19 version can be found here. The most recent version (2020/21) is here.

Regarding DSA, the States of Guernsey state that: 'Assistance may be available for disabled students who: a) require special equipment, specialised training and/or the services of a nonmedical helper as a result of their attendance on the course and in order to enable them to benefit fully from the course, and b) satisfy the conditions for, and are in receipt of, a Student Finance higher education award described in the other sections of this Guide.

Disabilities which may give rise to the need for such support include dyslexia.

The student will be expected to demonstrate that he has a disability which affects his ability to study and that he needs specific assistance to enable him to study effectively and may be asked to have his disability assessed... Any student who believes that he requires specific assistance because of a disability should notify us as soon as possible. The student may be asked to arrange to have his disability assessed. In the case of students who may be dyslexic, we expect students to produce an assessment recently undertaken by a psychologist.

If we accept that the student has a disability which affects his ability to study, we will ask the student to produce a Needs Assessment from a recognised access centre, detailing the support that the student requires to study effectively. Many universities have learning support advisers who can advise students about obtaining assessments and who can, in many cases, carry out the Needs Assessment. We are prepared to contribute towards the cost of the Needs Assessment (see Appendix 1: Schedule of Fees and Allowances for details). We may then make an award based on the recommendations within the Needs Assessment and its own policies and will write to confirm this to both the student and the Assessment Centre. Any DSA awarded will be from the date of this letter and will not be backdated.'

Through communications with the States of Guernsey (Student Finance) I am able to confirm that my assessment reports and testing meet the standards of the assessment required as stated above. My assessment report will demonstrate your need for DSA and this will be shared with your Higher Education establishment (e.g. University) who will carry out a Needs Assessment to see what specific support you need. Support varies depending on the type of course you study.

Please email me for additional information.

HR Harris ©2021