Lincoln University Assessment Centre (LUAC)

Are you eligible?

The DSA (Disabled Students’ Allowance) is a Government funded allowance available to UK students. It can pay for appropriate extra costs, related to academic studies, which arise as a direct result of your disability.

‘Appropriate’ costs may result from, for example, the purchase of supportive IT equipment, software, ergonomic furniture, travel costs, or a non-medical personal helper.

DSA funding is not means-tested, is not a loan, and is not age-restricted.

It is usually available to full or part-time students, undergraduate or post-graduate, who…

1. Have a medical condition, a mental health condition, or a specific learning difficulty (e.g. Dyslexia, dyspraxia, visual or hearing impairment, Aspergers, epilepsy, diabetes, MS, mobility difficulties, etc).
    
2. Attend an eligible course as defined in the DfES booklet, ‘Bridging the Gap’ .
    
3. Are eligible for Student Support in Higher Education.
   

More information about DSA, and the DSA1 application form, is available at: www.direct.gov.uk, or from your Local Authority. Open University Students should refer to the Open University website for more information.

 

When your DSA application is accepted, your funding body will write to you, asking you to have a needs assessment.

LUAC can provide your needs assessment.

LUAC assessments are confidential and relaxed events.
The friendly and knowledgeable staff will identify support that is agreeable to you, and appropriate to your needs.

Afterwards, LUAC will contact your funding body, recommending your ‘support package’.

Upon their agreement, the funding body will usually authorise your support package at the earliest opportunity.