UK Government - Disabled Students’ Allowance

What the Disabled Students' Allowance covers

If you are studying in England, you will receive up to 27,783 GBP per year (about 32,000 EUR). This money covers the additional study costs arising from your disability, health condition or learning difficulties. It is a grant from Student Finance England, not a loan, so you will never have to pay it back. It is awarded in addition to other student finance support. The amount depends solely on what you actually need, and not on your income or your parents’ income. It can be used to fund special aids (for example, a computer, although you pay the first 200 GBP yourself), non-medical support such as a British Sign Language interpreter or a note-taker, taxi journeys to your place of study if you are unable to use public transport due to your disability, as well as other study support such as printing additional copies of documents. Costs that you would incur anyway, or items that every student needs, are not covered.

Who can apply

• Your condition: You have a disability that affects your studies, such as a specific learning difficulty (e.g. dyslexia or ADHD), a mental health condition (e.g. anxiety or depression), a physical or sensory disability, or a chronic condition (e.g. cancer, chronic heart disease or HIV).
• Where you study: You live in England and are studying at a British university or college.
• Your course: You are enrolled on a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree programme lasting at least one year, whether full-time or part-time, or you are earning at least 30 credits as part of your entitlement to lifelong learning.
• Other student finance: You are entitled to both a loan to cover your tuition fees and a loan to cover your full living costs from Student Finance England.
• Income: Your household income and savings are irrelevant. There is no means test.
• Proof: You can provide evidence of your state of health, for example by means of a medical certificate from your doctor or an assessment report regarding a specific learning difficulty.
• Not eligible: You cannot claim if you only qualify for a Tuition Fee Loan, already get NHS Disabled Students' Allowances or similar support elsewhere, or are on a higher or degree apprenticeship.

How to apply

You can apply for funding via your online account with Student Finance England or using a paper DSA1 form if you are studying part-time or on a postgraduate course. You can submit your application at any time during your studies, but you should do so as early as possible. It can take up to 14 weeks for your support to be approved. This includes a needs assessment interview, during which an adviser will determine what support you are eligible for. Do not purchase any assistive equipment before this needs assessment, as the costs will not be reimbursed.