Every full-time undergraduate student has to complete the HEI application form before applying for the DSAs. This is not to means test the student, but simply for the student to show basic eligibility for support eg, meeting three year residency regulations, the course being designated etc. As long as the student meets the relevant criteria, they will be eligible for DSAs.

DfES Bridging the Gap guide to Disabled Students Allowances (particularly pages 15-17) clarifies the application procedures for undergraduate and postgraduate students. It is available on the DfES website at:

www.dfes.gov.uk/studentsupport/formsandguides/gui_guides.shtml

This information about any seconded student (including NHS students) being able to get DSAs has been verified with the DfES. The real problem is the awareness of it. So please spread the word and help to ensure that disabled students get the right information and the support they need!

Many thanks

Dee Juneja
Information and Research Worker
 
Skill: National Bureau for Students with Disabilities
Chapter House, 18-20 Crucifix Lane, London SE1 3JW
Main line: 020 7450 0620 (voice/text) Fax: 020 7450 0650
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Promoting equality in education, training and employment for disabled people.
_______________________________________

We are committed to providing a free information service but answering 7,000+ enquiries a year does not come cheap. If you can support our work by becoming a member or making a donation please contact us. You can call us on 020 7450 0620 or email us at [log in to unmask]
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Of course, if you are already a member please accept our thanks. You make this possible.

-----Original Message-----
From: Faye Langston [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 15 October 2003 14:51
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Nursing Diploma students

Kate

I understand that this is the theory and sounds great for those students
who may miss out. But LEA's wont provide DSA support for students who
haven't applied for financial support (by filling in the HE1 form) let
alone NHS students!

Faye Langston
Coventry University

Kate Goddard wrote:
>
> Skill has recently brought this issue up with the DfES, as it does seem unfair that seconded students on NHS courses are not able to get the NHS DSA, as they are not eligible for the NHS bursary. Even if students are receiving Access to Work, this will not address their study related needs, and also takes a long time for support to be put in place.
>
> The situation is that health care students who are eligible to receive NHS bursaries are excluded from receiving a DSA through the student support system. The NHS offer their own DSA to such students through the NHS bursary scheme. However, health care students who are employed by NHS trusts and seconded onto health care courses continue to receive their salary and are not eligible for NHS bursaries, so they cannot receive the NHS DSA.
>
> Since secondees are not eligible for NHS bursaries they are not excluded from student support, subject to their satisfying all the other eligibility criteria such as residency status etc. NHS secondees can therefore receive a DSA through the student support system.
>
> This means that students can apply to their LEA, although if they are receiving a salary they might only be eligible for the non-means tested elements of support. DSA is of course not subject to means testing. Seconded students can in theory receive DSA from their LEA.
>
> The problem with this is that when LEAs receive an application form from a student on an NHS course, they may automatically assume that it is not for them to deal with and reply to the student saying they should apply to the NHS Students Grant Unit. DfES will hopefully be putting a note about this in their next Student Support Update to remind colleagues in HEIs and LEAs of the situation. Skill will also be writing to NHS Student Grants Unit so that they also give appropriate advice to students.
>
> Kate Goddard
> Policy Officer
> ___________________________________________
> Skill: National Bureau for Students with Disabilities
> Chapter House, 18-20 Crucifix Lane, London SE1 3JW
> Direct line: 020 7450 0641 (voice)
> Main line: 020 7450 0620 (voice/text) Fax: 020 7450 0650
> Information Service: 0800 328 5050 (voice), 0800 068 2422 (text), [log in to unmask]
> Monday-Thursday 1:30 to 4:30
> Website: www.skill.org.uk
>
> Support Skill as you shop on line at www.ushopugive.com
>
> Skill is a registered charity no. 801971 and a company limited by guarantee no. 2397897
>
> Promoting equality in education, training and employment for disabled people.
> _______________________________________
>
> We are committed to providing a free information service but answering 7,000+ enquiries a year does not come cheap. If you can support our work by becoming a member or making a donation please contact us. You can call us on 020 7450 0620 or email us at [log in to unmask]
> For more information you can visit our website at www.skill.org.uk
>
> Of course, if you are already a member please accept our thanks. You make this possible.
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: BRYAN JONES [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> > Sent: Wednesday, October 15, 2003 12:45 PM
> > To: [log in to unmask]
> > Subject: Nursing Diploma students
> >
> > Some Nursing Dipploma students get bursaries and are now
> > eligible for DSA. Some students on the same course do not
> > receive these bursaries as they are doing to course through their
> > employer, so are not eligible foe DSA. Has anyone out there ever
> > tried or been sucessful in obtaining Access to Work support for
> > such Nursing students, particularly those who are dyslexic?
> >
> > Bryan Jones
> > Disability Support Services Manager
> > Tel: 020 8411 5367