Help for Higher Education Students.
University Disability Officers offer specialist advice about all aspects of support. Dyslexic students should contact their DO as soon as they accept a place.
1. Disabled Students Allowance (DSA)
Dyslexic students in Higher Education, who have been assessed as dyslexic, can apply to their funder (e.g. Student finance England, NHS Student Grants Unit, Open University) for a DSA. Part time students and post-graduate students are now eligible for this allowance.
Students at Higher Education with dyslexic difficulties can apply for the Disabled Students Allowance. The application should be supported by a diagnostic assessment report post 16 years from either an Educational Psychologist or a specialist dyslexia teacher with a Practising Certificate.
Student Finance England, in conjunction with Directgov, has developed a new information tool to help students and their sponsors get information quickly about student finance. See the student finance information page.
If you are eligible for a DSA, you can go to an ACCESS Centre, which can assess the needs of disabled students including ICT.
Provision under the DSA for dyslexia can include once only equipment, such as a PC, hardware and appropriate assistive software, including ICT training; study skills support from a specialist tutor; proof reading, and an annual general allowance for books etc. See Bridging the Gap, below, for full details.
2. Useful publications.
The DCSF Leaflet 'Bridging The Gap - A Guide To Disabled Students Allowance (DSAs) in Higher Education'.
Further information on allowances and eligibility can be found here.
3. Further sources of information.
The Open University.
Disabled Student Services.
- Tel: 01908 655 354.
- Email: Disabled-Student-Services@open.ac.uk
- http://www.open.ac.uk/
SKILL: The National Bureau for Students with Disabilities.
Skill has helpful general information and literature, especially about allowances for disabled students and about many charities and grant making trusts.
- Tel: 0800 328 5050.
- Fax: 020 7450 0650.
- Email: info@skill.org.uk
- http://www.skill.org.uk/
Information for dyslexic nursing students.
NHS grants for nursing students etc. - Tel: 0845 358 6655. - http://www.nhsstudentgrants.co.uk/
The Educational Grants Advisory Service (EGAS)
EGAS offers guidance about loans, grants and benefits from educational trusts and charities for disadvantaged students over 16. Send an stamped address envelope or phone for a form for completion, to enable EGAS to give you appropriate advice.
- Address: 501-505 Kingsland Road, London E8 4AU.
- Tel: 020 7254 6251.
- Fax: 020 7249 5443.
Scholarship Search UK.
Academic Scholarships and Bursaries for UK Universities and Educational Institutions.
FunderFinder
FunderFinder has links to fundraising resources and to a wide range of trusts (not all educational).
