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