DSA Guide: Funding Flowen at University

What is the Disabled Students' Allowance?

The Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) is a UK government grant administered by Student Finance England (SFE), Student Finance Wales, Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS), or the Student Loans Company Northern Ireland, depending on where you live. It provides funding for disability-related support costs that arise because of your studies — it is not a loan and does not have to be repaid.

DSA is available to eligible students in undergraduate, postgraduate taught, and postgraduate research programmes at UK higher education providers. It covers costs above what the university itself is required to provide through its duty to make reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010.

Who qualifies?

You may be eligible for DSA if you:

• Have a disability, long-term health condition, specific learning difficulty, or mental health condition — including a stammer or fluency disorder
• Are a UK student studying at a UK higher education institution (university, college, or conservatoire)
• Are registered with a UK funding body for student finance (Student Finance England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland)
• Are studying on a qualifying course (undergraduate or postgraduate level)

A stammer (also called stuttering or fluency disorder) is a recognised disability under the Equality Act 2010 where it has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on day-to-day activities. For most students with a persistent stammer, this condition is met — particularly where the stammer creates a significant barrier to oral assessments, seminar participation, group projects, or presentations.

How Flowen qualifies as specialist technology

DSA covers the cost of specialist equipment, software, and assistive technology that is specifically needed as a result of your disability. Under current DSA guidance from the Office for Students (OfS) and Student Finance England, specialist software for students with communication disorders qualifies where it is recommended following a needs assessment.

At your needs assessment (see below), describe Flowen as "specialist assistive software using real-time biofeedback to reduce stammering in academic oral communication settings" and explain how it specifically supports your participation in seminars, group work, oral examinations, and presentations.

Applying for DSA

Step 1 — Submit your DSA application

Apply for DSA through your Student Finance account at the same time as (or after) applying for student finance. You do not need to wait until you have enrolled at university.

• Log into your Student Finance online account at studentfinance.gov.uk (England)
• Find the DSA section and complete the application form
• Select the disability type that best describes your condition — for a stammer, this is typically "other disability, long-term health condition, or physical impairment"
• Provide a brief description of how your stammer affects your studies
• You will be asked to provide medical evidence — see the Evidence section below
• Once your application is received, Student Finance will write to you with next steps

Step 2 — The needs assessment

Once your eligibility is confirmed, you will be referred to a DSA Needs Assessment. This is an appointment with a specialist assessor (usually lasting 1.5–2 hours) who will identify the specific support you need in the context of your studies. The needs assessor is independent of Student Finance and their role is to advocate for your needs — not to gatekeep support.

At the assessment, be prepared to discuss:

• How your stammer affects specific academic activities — seminars, group work, oral exams, presentations, speaking to tutors
• Whether you avoid certain academic activities because of your stammer (avoidance is important evidence of impact)
• Any previous or current speech therapy and its outcomes
• What tools or strategies you currently use and their limitations
• Why real-time biofeedback practice (Flowen) would help you prepare for high-stakes oral communication in your studies

Following the assessment, the assessor will produce a Needs Assessment Report (NAR) recommending specific support, equipment, and software. This report is sent to Student Finance, who will then issue a DSA entitlement letter.

Step 3 — Receiving your support

Once Student Finance issues your DSA entitlement letter, you will be able to claim for the recommended support. For specialist software like Flowen:

• Student Finance will either pay the supplier directly, or reimburse you after purchase — your entitlement letter will specify which applies
• For reimbursement claims, purchase Flowen and retain your receipts/invoices
• Submit a claim via your Student Finance account with the receipts attached
• Your university's Disability Advisory Service can help you navigate the claim process

Evidence of your stammer

Student Finance requires medical evidence as part of your DSA application. For a stammer, acceptable evidence includes:

• A letter from a Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) confirming your diagnosis and the impact on daily communication
• A GP letter confirming your stammer and that it has a substantial and long-term effect on daily activities
• An audiology or ENT report (if your stammer has been assessed in a medical context)
• A previous school or university assessment confirming a communication difficulty

If you have never had formal SLT input, a GP letter is usually sufficient for DSA eligibility. The GP letter does not need to be detailed — a brief statement confirming your stammer and its impact on daily verbal communication is enough.

What you can receive

DSA support for specialist technology is provided in addition to other DSA allowances (non-medical helpers, general disability equipment). For the academic year 2025–26, DSA has the following allowances:

Flowen's subscription cost falls within the general disability-related costs allowance in most cases, though it can also be recommended as specialist software under the equipment allowance. Your needs assessor will determine the most appropriate category based on your individual circumstances.

Already receiving DSA?

If you are already receiving DSA but Flowen was not included in your original Needs Assessment Report, you can request a review of your DSA support. Contact Student Finance to request a reassessment — you do not need to wait until the end of the academic year.

• You can request a reassessment if your needs have changed or if new specialist technology has become available
• Contact your university's Disability Advisory Service to initiate a reassessment request
• Provide a brief explanation of why you believe Flowen would address a need not currently met by your existing support

Frequently asked questions

Will applying for DSA affect my student loan or grant?

No. DSA is completely separate from your tuition fee loan and maintenance loan. It does not reduce any other student finance entitlement and does not need to be repaid.

Do I need to have had SLT in the past to apply?

No. You do not need a history of speech therapy. A GP letter confirming your stammer and its impact on communication is sufficient for most DSA applications. The needs assessor will evaluate your current needs regardless of your previous treatment history.

Can postgraduate students get DSA?

Yes. Postgraduate taught (Masters) and postgraduate research (PhD) students are eligible for DSA provided they meet the residency and funding requirements. The process is the same as for undergraduate students.

What if my needs assessor isn't familiar with Flowen?

Ask the assessor to consider Flowen as specialist communication software for a fluency disorder. We provide a product information sheet designed for needs assessors — email us at hello@flowen.digital and we'll send it to you within one working day.

Can I get DSA if I am an international student?

DSA is available to UK home students only. International (overseas fee-paying) students are not eligible. However, your university may have its own disability support fund or bursary — contact your Disability Advisory Service to enquire.

How long does the DSA process take?

The full process from application to receiving your entitlement letter typically takes 6–10 weeks, though this can be faster if you apply early in the cycle. It is advisable to apply as early as possible — ideally before or during the first term of your course.

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