University of Bolton - Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) 

What the Disabled Students' Allowance covers

You will receive a grant of up to about EUR 32,000 per year (in England, up to 27,783 GBP for 2026/27) to cover the additional costs you incur whilst studying as a result of your disability. You will never have to repay this money. The amount depends on what you actually need, rather than on your parents’ or your own income, so most students receive less than the maximum amount. The grant is provided by Student Finance England and can be used for the following expenses:

• Specialist equipment, such as a laptop.
• Non-medical support staff, such as a British Sign Language interpreter or a minute-taker.
• Accessible course materials and speech-to-text software.
• If you are unable to use public transport due to your disability, please drive to your university.

When you buy a new computer, you pay the first 200 GBP (approximately 230 EUR) yourself.

Who can apply

• Where you live: They live in England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland run their own separate DSA schemes.
• Disability: You have a disability, a chronic illness, a mental health condition or a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia or ADHD. This must have a significant and long-term impact on your day-to-day activities.
• Student finance: You are eligible for both a tuition fee loan and a full grant from Student Finance England. If you are only receiving the tuition fee loan, you cannot apply.
• Your course: You are studying for a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the UK that lasts at least one year. Both full-time and part-time programmes are eligible.
• Field of study: Any topic is fine.
• Proof: You can provide supporting evidence, such as a doctor’s certificate or a diagnostic report from a specialist confirming a learning difficulty.
• Not eligible: You are not eligible to apply if you are undertaking higher education or a course leading to an academic qualification, are eligible for the separate NHS scheme, or are already receiving equivalent funding elsewhere. PhD students receiving a UK Research Council (UKRI) scholarship, including international students, are funded via a separate UKRI pathway organised by their university.

How to apply

Register with Student Finance England and submit the DSA application form for your academic year, together with proof of your disability. Once your eligibility has been confirmed – usually within about six weeks – you will attend a needs assessment. This interview lasts about two hours and is designed to determine exactly what support you will receive.

How realistic are your chances?

This is not a competitive scholarship with a limited number of places. If you meet the eligibility criteria and can provide evidence of your disability, you are entitled to this support. The main hurdles are providing proof and timing your application correctly; you should therefore start gathering your medical or diagnostic records well in advance. It can take several weeks to arrange for full support to be put in place; you should therefore apply well in advance of the start of your studies.