I think this is the kind of thing worth checking with the Student Finance
England Practitioner support team.
Tel 0845 6028583 10 – 4, or email [log in to unmask]
They would need more detail (but not the student’s personal details because
they only deal with ‘general scenarios’).
As far as I can see, it would depend on the reason for the ‘travel’ you
describe (study at an HEI abroad, placement or part of the course – but with
10 weeks of the academic year based in the UK). Bear in mind also that the
DSA Guidance says (point 3 of the 09/10 version) – “DSAs should be in
respect of expenditure not covered elsewhere in the Regulations” , so you
need to rule in or out the Travel Grant eligibility for this particular student.
I think the relevant points in the DSA Guidance (09/10 version) are:
7. Students are eligible for DSAs whilst attending an overseas institution as
part of their UK course, whether obligatory or optional
13. Students on part-year paid or unpaid placements where the periods of full-
time study in the academic year are 10 weeks or more in aggregate remain
eligible for DSA support…
14 Under regulation 38(5) students are not eligible for grants for living and
other costs, including DSAs, in any academic year of a sandwich course where
the periods of full-time study are in aggregate less than 10 weeks (unless the
period of work experience is an unpaid placement of a type specified in
regulation 38(6)).
15. Under regulation 38(6) students undertaking certain types of unpaid work
experience in the public or voluntary sectors are potentially eligible for grants
for living and other costs, including DSAs (even where the periods of full-time
study in the academic year are less than 10 weeks in aggregate). See ‘Grants
for Dependants and Travel Grants’ guidance chapter.
22. The specialist equipment allowance (regulation 41(2)(b)) may be used to
pay for items of equipment which the student will need, because of a
disability, to benefit fully from the course. It may also be reasonable to meet
associated insurance, extended warranty, repair and modification costs from
the equipment allowance. Where students do not take out insurance and their
equipment is stolen, the cost of replacing the stolen equipment should not
normally be met from the DSAs. Therefore, LAs/SLC are advised to recommend
that students take out insurance cover for their DSA equipment. The
insurance premiums can be paid from the DSA.
Amanda Kent
DSA needs assessor
On Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:56:25 +0100, Ros Platton
<[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>Hi All,
>
>Does anyone know if DSA will cover the insurance costs when a student
takes equipment abroad when they need to travel as part of their course?
One of our students asked but was told they couldn't get the additional cost
paid.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Ros Plattton
>Disability Adviser
>
>
>
>Ros Platton
>Disability Advisor
>
>Rose Bruford College
>Lamorbey Park Campus, Burnt Oak Lane, Sidcup, Kent. DA15 9DF. UK.
>t +44(0)20 8308 2600 f +44(0)20 8308 0542 ddi +44(0)20 8308 2610
>P Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail
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