How Can I Get ivvi Through Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)?

What is Disabled Students’ Allowance?

The Disabled Students’ Allowance is a grant intended to cover disability-related study costs, including costs associated with dyslexia. It can pay for support, equipment and assistive technology that help a student succeed at university or college.

Key points:

the award is based on individual need, not household income;
it is not means-tested;
it does not need to be repaid;
the exact award is determined through a Needs Assessment.

Who can apply for DSA?

Specific learning differences such as dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia
ADHD and autism
Physical disabilities
Mental-health conditions, including anxiety and depression
Long-term health conditions

For dyslexia, you may be eligible if you:

has a dyslexia diagnosis from school or adulthood;
studies full-time or at least half-time for at least one year;
is an undergraduate or postgraduate in the UK;
qualifies for student finance.

A PDF of your original diagnosis can be sufficient, including a childhood report with no time limit. For physical or mental-health conditions, ask your GP to complete the DSA Evidence Form.

What can the DSA grant pay for?

Assistive software, including mind-mapping and text-to-speech
Hardware, such as a laptop or printer
One-to-one study-skills tutoring for essays, exams and time management
Software training
Printing and photocopying

The final package depends on personal need and the Needs Assessment.

How do I apply for DSA?

Contact the university disability or wellbeing team. They can explain the process and help with the form.
Find the dyslexia assessment. Locate the PDF or paper copy.
Apply online. Apply alongside student finance or separately during the course. Apply early, ideally before university starts.
Attend a Needs Assessment. The funding body should respond with a DSA1 letter and assessment instructions. The assessment is a conversation, not a test.
Receive the award. The DSA2 entitlement letter lists the approved equipment, software and support and identifies the supplier.

How should I prepare for a DSA Needs Assessment?

The ivvi guide suggests thinking about:

how dyslexia affects daily life;
difficulty taking notes in lectures;
how essays, reports and presentations are prepared;
time management and organisation;
strategies that have worked before;
software that may help.

DSA is support based on need, not a pass/fail grant.

How do I request ivvi through DSA?

ivvi Notes is DSA-approved note-taking software for students with dyslexia. It creates real-time visual mind maps while retaining the audio and transcript. We provide ongoing training and advice as part of a DSA software licence.

Where do I apply in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland?

The funding body depends on the student’s home nation, not necessarily where they study.