DSA: Acronyms and abbreviations
Throughout the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) process, you may encounter some new abbreviations and acronyms.
Here are some of the commonly used, along with their meaning.
| AS | Autistic spectrum |
|---|---|
| AT | Assistive technology |
| ATSP | Assistive technology service provider |
| CRN | Customer reference number |
| DSA | Disabled Students' Allowance. Your grant for accessing support while you are studying at university. Although this is called an ‘allowance’, you don’t receive the money directly. Instead, you are granted access to support and services, and the service providers will be funded directly. |
| DSA 1 | Letter sent by the funding body confirming their acceptance of your application for DSA. |
| DSA 2 | Letter sent by the funding body confirming their approval of DSA funded support (Notification of Entitlement). |
| EU student | A student whose home address is in a country within the European Union. |
| Funding body | Student Finance England, Student Awards Agency for Scotland, Student Finance Wales, Student Finance Northern Ireland, NHS Student Bursary, UK Research and Innovation |
| Home student | A student whose home address is in a country within the United Kingdom. |
| MH | Mental health |
| NA | Needs assessment |
| NAC | Needs assessment centre |
| NAR | Needs assessment report |
| NMH | Non-medical help |
| PG | Postgraduate |
| SAAS | Student Awards Agency for Scotland |
| SFE | Student Finance England |
| SFW | Student Finance Wales |
| SLC | Student Loans Company |
| SpLD | Specific learning difference |
| Student Finance NI | Student Finance Northern Ireland |
| UG | Undergraduate |
| UKRI | UK Research and Innovation |
Content provided by Calling All Minds.
Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) is a grant you don’t need to repay.
Our FAQs will help you find out if you're eligible for the Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA).
How you apply for DSA depends on if you're already receiving student finance.