DSA Specialist Mentoring for Students with ADHD
Specialist mentoring helps you build the skills to manage university life with ADHD. Whether funded through DSA or accessed privately, I provide practical, one-to-one support tailored to how your brain actually works.
What Is Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)?
Disabled Students' Allowance is a government grant available to higher education students in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland who have a disability, long-term health condition, mental health condition, or specific learning difference. ADHD is included, and the grant funds support that helps you access your education on an equal basis.
Unlike student loans, DSA is a grant. You do not pay it back. It does not depend on your household income, and it is paid on top of your standard student finance. The support it funds can include specialist mentoring, assistive technology, and other reasonable adjustments.
Specialist mentoring is one of the most valuable things DSA can fund for students with ADHD. It gives you regular, one-to-one sessions with someone who understands ADHD and can help you build practical strategies for managing your studies. If you want to know more about the application process, I have written a detailed DSA application guide that walks you through it step by step.
How to Access DSA Specialist Mentoring
The process is straightforward, though it can take a few weeks. Here is what to expect.
Apply to Student Finance
Submit your DSA application through Student Finance England (or the equivalent in your nation). You will need evidence of your ADHD diagnosis, such as a diagnostic report or letter from your specialist.
Attend a Needs Assessment
Once approved, you will be invited to a Needs Assessment. An assessor will discuss your challenges and recommend the support you need, which may include specialist mentoring sessions.
Get Matched with a Mentor
After your Needs Assessment, you will be matched with a specialist mentor. Sessions are delivered online, and you can start working on strategies for your studies straight away.
What DSA Mentoring Covers
Every student is different, so sessions are tailored to your specific challenges. But here are the areas that come up most often when I work with university students with ADHD. If something is making uni harder than it needs to be, we can almost certainly work on it.
Why ADHD Students Need Specialist Mentoring
University is hard enough without ADHD. But with ADHD, the lack of structure, the independent study, the long deadlines, and the sheer volume of information can make it feel impossible. Most study skills advice assumes a neurotypical brain, and when those strategies do not work, it is easy to blame yourself.
Specialist mentoring is different because it starts from an understanding of how ADHD actually affects learning. I do not tell you to “just use a planner” or “start earlier.” We figure out why those things are not working and build alternatives that suit your brain. If you struggle with ADHD at university, this is exactly the kind of support that can make a real difference.
Whether you are a first-year student finding your feet, a final-year student working on your dissertation, or a postgraduate navigating research, I have worked with students at every stage. And I have ADHD myself, so I genuinely understand the challenges from the inside.
Private Mentoring for Students
Not everyone is eligible for DSA, and sometimes the funded support is not quite enough. That is completely fine. My private mentoring sessions follow the same specialist mentoring approach used in DSA provision, and you can access them without any diagnostic requirement or waiting period.
Private mentoring is a good option if you are awaiting an ADHD diagnosis, if your DSA application is still being processed, if you want more frequent sessions than DSA covers, or if you have already graduated but still want support. You can read more about the full range of DSA and university support for ADHD on my blog.
Simple, Transparent Pricing
DSA-funded sessions have no cost to you. For private mentoring, here are the rates. No hidden fees, no long-term commitments.
Single Session
£125
60 minutes
3-Session Bundle
£320
Save 15%
5-Session Bundle
£470
Save 25%
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about DSA specialist mentoring for ADHD.
What is DSA specialist mentoring?
DSA specialist mentoring is a form of support funded through Disabled Students' Allowance. It provides regular one-to-one sessions with a trained mentor who helps you develop strategies for managing your studies alongside ADHD. Sessions typically cover organisation, time management, assignment planning, exam preparation, and building academic confidence. It is practical, skills-based support rather than counselling or academic tutoring.
Is DSA specialist mentoring free?
If you are approved for DSA, specialist mentoring is fully funded by Student Finance England (or the equivalent body in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland). You do not pay anything towards the sessions. DSA is a grant, not a loan, so it does not need to be repaid. If you are not eligible for DSA or want additional support beyond what is funded, private mentoring sessions are also available.
How do I apply for DSA?
You apply for DSA through Student Finance (the same system you use for tuition fees and maintenance loans). You will need evidence of your condition, such as a diagnostic report or letter from your GP or specialist. After applying, you will be invited for a Needs Assessment, which determines what support you are entitled to. The whole process can take several weeks, so it is best to apply as early as possible.
What happens in a DSA mentoring session?
Sessions are tailored to your individual needs, but typically we work on things like breaking assignments into manageable steps, building study timetables, preparing for exams, managing deadlines, and developing organisational systems that work with your ADHD brain. Sessions are collaborative and practical. We do not sit and talk about your feelings (unless you want to). We roll up our sleeves and work on the stuff that is actually tripping you up.
Can I get DSA if I am awaiting an ADHD diagnosis?
This depends on your specific circumstances. Generally, you need some form of evidence of your condition to apply for DSA. This could be a formal diagnosis, a letter from a GP, or documentation from a specialist. If you are on a waiting list, speak to your university disability service as they may be able to provide interim support or help you gather the evidence needed. In the meantime, private mentoring is available without any diagnostic requirement.
How is specialist mentoring different from academic tutoring?
Academic tutoring focuses on subject-specific knowledge: helping you understand course content. Specialist mentoring focuses on the skills and strategies you need to manage your studies effectively with ADHD. We work on things like organisation, planning, time management, motivation, and building sustainable study habits. I do not teach you your subject material, but I help you develop the executive function skills that make studying possible.
Ready to Work With Your Brain?
Not sure if mentoring is right for you? Start with a free discovery call, or book your first session and start building strategies that genuinely work.