Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs)
Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs) is available to fund disability-related course costs incurred whilst studying.
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You must be a ‘Home’ (UK or Ireland) student to apply DSAs. Information for international students.
DSAs provide funding towards costs such as:
- assistive software
- support workers, e.g. note-takers, specialist study skills tutors and practical assistants
- specialist equipment
- printing and photocopying
- travel
Applying for DSAs
DSAs applications are submitted to the relevant funding body, depending on the applicant’s place of residency in the UK or Ireland.
It is not necessary to have a confirmed place on a course. You can apply once you have an offer or when you are enrolled as a student.
You can tick the DSAs box when you apply for your loan from Student Finance England (SFE) to complete the application online. Alternatively, you can fill in the DSA1 'slim form' and post it to SFE.
If you are due to begin your studies in the next academic year, you can download the latest DSA forms from the gov.uk website.
There is more information on applying on gov.uk.
If you do not get any funding through SFE, or are not applying for loans or grants through SFE, you must complete the DSA1 'full form'. Send the completed form, along with the relevant evidence of your disability, to disability@gold.ac.uk. We will stamp it and forward the application to SFE.
Read our Data Protection and Confidentiality Statement to understand how we will use what you send us.
Contact us if you require any help with this.
You should apply using the DSA1 'full form'. If you apply for financial support through Student Finance England, there is a tick box on the application form to say you have a disability. If you tick this you will be sent a copy of the DSA1 form automatically.
Send the completed form, along with the relevant evidence of your disability to disability@gold.ac.uk. We will stamp it and forward the application to Student Finance England.
Read our Data Protection and Confidentiality Statement to understand how we will use what you send us.
Contact us if you require any help with this.
There is more information on applying on gov.uk.
How you apply depends on your funding body.
Research Council funded postgraduate students
If you receive a Research Council funded studentship, contact us and we can check your eligibility and advise on the process for applying.
Non-Research Council funded postgraduate students
If you are funded directly by Goldsmiths or you are self-funded, you can claim DSAs from Student Finance England by completing the full version of the DSA1 'full form'.
Please send the completed form, along with the relevant evidence of your disability, to disability@gold.ac.uk. We will stamp it and forward the application to Student Finance England. Contact us if you require any help with this.
Research associates or assistants
If you are employed by Goldsmiths as a research associate or assistant and registered for a research degree, you should apply for both Access to Work and DSAs funding.
DSAs will be provided by either the relevant Research Council or Student Finance England. Please see the two sections above for information on how to apply.
If you are unsure about the source of your funding
If you are not sure what type of funding applies to you, contact the Disability Service.
DSAs are only available to students who are ordinarily resident in the UK and have lived here for five years. If you’re ordinarily resident in another country then you will not qualify for DSA. This applies even if you’re a European Union (EU) resident and can get help with your tuition fees.
DSAs are not available for Home students who are registered as Exam Attendance only.
Please make an appointment with a Disability Adviser to access funding from the Goldsmiths Disability Fund.
Medical and diagnostic evidence
Medical and/or diagnostic evidence must be provided with the DSAs application form. Please include photocopied evidence of your condition, impairment or specific learning difficulty. Do not send the original document.
Find out more about the type of medical and/or diagnostic evidence required. The Disability Service can advise those who are having difficulty obtaining evidence.
Goldsmiths offers a diagnostic service for enrolled students who have, or think they have, a Specific Learning Difficulty.
DSA Assessment of Needs
Once you have applied for Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) you will receive a letter asking you to book an Assessment of Needs in order for you to discuss the support required for your study.
Read more about how this assessment works and how to book an appointment for one.