What should I know before I apply?

• Students must apply for Disabled Students' Allowance if eligible. (It now includes both full-time and part-time students at under-graduate and post graduate level including Open University students.)

• The outcome of your application for DSA must be indicated to the Trustees. Please note that failure to provide this information may mean that your application will not be considered.

• For recipients of DSA, additional awards from SDAF will generally be given only in exceptional circumstances.

• Please note that the maximum grant from SDAF is £500. (This is significantly less than the maximum amount that can be awarded as DSA.) We may need confirmation that funds are being sought from other sources if your requirements are greatly in excess of the amount we are able to award.

• In addition, it is important to understand that we cannot award to all apparently eligible applicants because of the huge demand on our fund.

What will the SDAF grant cover?

• Grants are given on a one-per-applicant basis for needs related to illness or disability which mean the student is disadvantaged in their study as compared with other students.

• Items of equipment to aid study such as computers, software, special chairs or other aids are examples of recent awards.

• In addition, contributions may be made to extra travel costs, cost of helper/ note taker, extra books or photocopying incurred due to the problem.

What is not included?

• Expenses incurred by all students such as fees, living costs, books etc needed by all regardless of disability or illness.

• Cost of medical treatment

• Medical equipment unless specific to study problems.

How much can be awarded?

• Present maximum is £500 per applicant in order to allow maximum number of grants. (Total money available is limited)

• This does not mean that £500 is always given.

How do I apply?

• Check to see if you are eligible to apply for an award. If you are, you should complete the application form, which will be sent to us automatically.

• Your application will not be considered by us until you have also gathered your supporting evidence (see below) and sent it by post to the BAHSHE office.

• Please note we are unable to accept telephone enquiries.

What supporting evidence will be needed?

• The following:

1. medical letter from your doctor confirming your medical condition or disability, or - if appropriate - a dyslexia report.
2. supporting letter from tutor, welfare adviser, disability officer or equivalent from University
3. result of application for DSA

• NB. Medical letter does not need to be detailed; copies of letters from specialists are acceptable. The supporting letter must be dated, on headed paper from the University and confirm attendance on the course.

• Please include in your application the approximate cost of items for which you require funds (eg. computer, note-taking, signing, travel, etc). Note that these items should be extra to those needed by other students, ie. your need for them should be because of your medical problem.

• You must state whether you have applied to and / or been granted funds from other charitable organisations and whether you are receiving grants from other sources, eg. Disabled Students Allowance.

PLEASE NOTE that if your application is incomplete (ie. does not provide sufficient supporting evidence), or if you do not deal with any follow-up queries from us within 2 weeks, your application will be discontinued.

When will I know if I have received an award?

• The deadlines for application for this assistance are 1st March, 1st June and 1st November.

• It takes about a month after that date to finalise awards.

• Late applications may be deferred to the next deadline.

More details about the fund