Finding Funding for Private Assessments and Tuition
The British Dyslexia Association is unable to offer grants or bursaries for private assessments or for tuition.
We suggest that the following leads are used as starting points in any search for funding:
Assessments.
- For a local authority assessment, applications should be made via the school otherwise via an LEA Education department – see the DfES publication ‘Special Educational Needs a Guide for parents
- A GP can often write in support of the above or refer for a clinical psychologist’s assessment.
- Some private medical insurance companies will fund independent assessments.
- Employers will often fund assessments for an employee or a member of their family.
- Learning Support Departments in FE colleges often have facilities or arrangements in place for making independent funded assessments.
- Universities will sometimes have arrangements in placewill consider funding through the Hardship Fund.
- Disability Officers in Employment can often make referrals to an Occupational or Work Psychologist via Access to Work.
Private Tuition.
- Some tuition centres offer bursaries.
- Members of The Educational Trust Forum will consider applications for specialist schooling.
- Independent Schools Information Service (ISIS) offer advice in searching for trusts to fund schooling.
- Students in HE should be able to access tuition via the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA).
- Disability Employment Advisors (at Job Centres) can often refer employed or unemployed people for tuition via Access to Work.
- Employers will often fund tuition.
- Librarians are often able to signpost to local charities and educational trusts.
- Reference books in libraries also list leads to approach.
Scholarships.
- Academic Scholarships and bursaries for UK Universities and Educational Institutions through student website or reference books.
Career Development.
- Aged between 14 and 30 the Princes Trust has a number of ways of helping you to move forward.
- Loans for students in Higher Education.
- Employed, self-employed and unemployed can benefit from a career development loan,
Technology.
- FE students can ask their institution to apply for funding to support their needs.
- HE students can apply for equipment through the Student Disability Allowance (DSA), details are explained in the DfES publication 'Bridging the Gap'.
- Employers, Employed, Self Employed or Unemployed can benefit from the Access-to-Work assistance by applying through the disability services team at the local Job Centre.
Both The Educational Grants Directory and Grants for Individuals in Need are reference books available in public libraries.
Other useful contacts are:
- Academic Scholarships Bursaries.
- DfES for publications 'Special Educational Needs' Web: www.direct.gov/en/EducationAndLeawrning/Schools/SpecialEducationalNeeds/DG_4000690 'Bridging The Gap'. Web: www.direct.gov/en/DisabledPeople/EducationAndTraining/HigherEducation/DG_10034900
- The Good Schools Guide Special Educational Needs section Web:
- The Educational Trusts Forum.
- Access-to-Work.
- Princes Trust.
- The Student Loan Company.
- Career Development Loans.
Page updated: 29/11/06.