If you are a higher education student with a disability living in England, you can apply for a Disabled Students Allowance (DSA).
The disability can include a:
- long-term health condition
- mental health condition
- specific learning difficulty, eg dyslexia
Updated April 2023
Introduction
To receive the allowance you must meet the definition of disability under the Equality Act 2010.
The support you get depends on your individual needs and not on income.
What you’ll get
Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs) are paid on top of your other student finance. They help you pay the extra costs you may have because of your disability. They don’t have to be repaid.
How much you get depends on your individual needs – not your household income. If you’re a part-time student your ‘course intensity’ can affect how much you get.
What you will get
2023 to 2024 academic year
Undergraduate and postgraduate students can get up to £26,291 a year for support.
2022 to 2023 academic year
Undergraduate and postgraduate students can get up to £25,575 a year for support.
What DSAs can pay for
You can get help with the costs of:
- specialist equipment, eg a computer if you need one because of your disability
- non-medical helpers
- extra travel because of your disability
- other disability-related costs of studying
You may get a new computer if you don’t already have one, or your current one doesn’t meet the required specification. More information will be provided to you if you’re assessed as needing a new computer.
You’ll need to pay the first £200, which is the minimum cost that any student is likely to incur when buying a computer.
DSAs don’t cover disability-related costs you’d have if you weren’t attending a course, or costs that any student might have.
Buying a new computer
You may get a new computer if you’re assessed as needing one because:
- you do not already have one
- your current one does not meet your study needs
When buying a new computer, you’ll need to pay the first £200.
The DSA team will send you more information about this after your needs assessment.
Your ‘needs assessment’
Once your eligibility for DSAs is confirmed, Student Finance England may ask you to contact an assessment centre to work out what help you need.
This is known as a needs assessment. Don’t book this until Student Finance England asks you to.
The assessment is paid for through any DSAs entitlement you may have.
After the assessment, you’ll get a report listing equipment and other support you can get for your course.
Don’t buy any equipment until you’ve been assessed – you won’t be reimbursed for it.
How DSAs are paid
Money is paid either into your bank account or directly to the organisation providing the service or equipment.
Eligibility
You can apply for Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs) if you have a disability, eg:
- long-term health condition
- mental health condition
- specific learning difficulty like dyslexia or dyspraxia
You must also:
- be an undergraduate or postgraduate student (including Open University or distance learning)
- have a condition that affects your ability to study
- qualify for student finance from Student Finance England
- be studying on a course that lasts at least a year
Who isn’t eligible
You cannot get help from Student Finance England if you’re:
- an EU student who is eligible for fee support only
- eligible for NHS Disabled Students’ Allowances (this is a separate scheme)
- getting equivalent support from another funding source, like from your university or a social work bursary
Proving you’re eligible
You won’t automatically get DSAs – you need proof of your eligibility.
Condition
Proving you’re eligible
You will not automatically get DSA – you need proof of your eligibility.
| Condition | Proof |
|---|---|
| Disabilities or long-term health condition | A copy of a report or letter from your doctor or consultant – you can also fill in the disability evidence form |
| Mental health condition | A copy of a report or letter from your doctor or consultant – you can also fill in the disability evidence form |
| Specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia | A copy of a ‘diagnostic assessment’ from a practitioner psychologist or suitably qualified specialist teacher |
You could get extra help to pay for a new diagnostic assessment.
Where to send letters or reports from a doctor
You can send proof of a health condition or learning disability to Student Finance England through your online account – if you have one. You can also send your proof by email or post.
Medical evidence for student finance
dsa_medical_evidence@slc.co.uk
Student Finance England
PO Box 210
Darlington
DL1 9HJ
Your course
Your course must be in the UK and one of the following:
- a first degree, for example BA, BSc or BEd
- a Foundation Degree
- a Certificate of Higher Education
- a Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE)
- a Higher National Certificate (HNC)
- a Higher National Diploma (HND)
- a Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE)
- a postgraduate course
- Initial Teacher Training
- a level 4 or 5 course with Higher Technical Qualification approval
Check with your university or college if you’re not sure whether your course qualifies for funding.
Part-time course intensity
For part-time students, your course intensity can affect how much you get.
‘Course intensity’ means how long your course takes to complete each year compared to an equivalent full-time course. You can check course intensity with your university or college.
Part-time undergraduate courses
Your course cannot be more than 4 times longer than the equivalent full-time course. Your course must last at least a year.
Part-time postgraduate master’s courses
If you’re applying for a Postgraduate Loan for a part-time master’s degree, the course must not last more than twice as long as the full-time equivalent.
The rules are different depending on your course.
updated April 2023