Does anyone involved with Continuing Education
courses in HE have any advice or useful experience
regarding DSA or alternative funding?
This academic year in the Faculty of Continuing
Education at Birkbeck College, 160 students have
declared a disability. NONE of them are eligible
for DSA funding.
These students are undertaking a broad range of
study from single 30 credit Level 1 courses to
those that are pursuing the University of London
Extra-Mural Certificates (of 90 credits at level
1 ) & Diplomas ( of 120 credits at level 1 or 2).
All applications for DSA funding have been refused
on the basis that the courses here do not meet the
requirements for Designated Courses as detailed in
Schedule 2 of the Education (Student Support)
Regulations 2002.
I truly have no idea why.
Requests for clarification and guidance made to
LEA’s and the DfES have been met with responses
that are at best simply negative and at worst
blatant misrepresentations of the regulations.
Has anyone had more success with obtaining DSA for
students on these types of courses?
Or are there any similar tales of woe and
frustration that could be usefully shared?
I’d be grateful for any help or comments.
Chris Farman
Student Support and Special Needs Officer
Faculty of Continuing Education
Birkbeck College
University of London
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