0 - Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs)

What Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs) give you

You will receive up to about 32,000 EUR per year (up to £27,783) to cover the additional study costs arising from a disability, a long-term illness, a mental health condition or a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia or ADHD. This is a grant from the UK Government which you will never have to repay. The amount is based on your needs, not your income. It can be used to fund specialist equipment (such as an adapted computer), non-medical support staff (such as a British Sign Language interpreter or a note-taker) as well as taxi journeys to your place of study if your disability prevents you from using public transport, and other study-related costs arising from your disability, such as additional printing costs. You must reapply for the grant each year to renew it. If you are granted a new computer, you will pay the first £200 yourself.

Who can apply

• Where you live: You live in England. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland each have their own regulations.
• Your situation: You have a disability, a chronic illness, a mental health condition or a specific learning difficulty that affects your ability to study, as defined in the Equality Act 2010.
• Level: You are a student on an undergraduate or main degree programme, including distance-learning programmes at the Open University.
• Field of study: Any subject.
• Course: Your degree programme lasts at least one year or comprises at least 30 credits as part of the new entitlement to lifelong learning.
• Student finance link: 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.
• Age: No age limit.
• What rules you out: You are already receiving a grant for students with disabilities from the NHS or equivalent support from another organisation, or you are undertaking a work-based learning programme.

How to apply

You submit your application via your online account with Student Finance England. If you are studying part-time or on a postgraduate course, please use form DSA1 instead. You must provide evidence of your medical condition, such as a doctor’s certificate or a diagnostic report. There is no fixed deadline, but you should submit your application as early as possible. You will receive a response within approximately 4 weeks, and it may take up to 14 weeks for your support to be arranged. This includes an informal needs assessment, which is about discussing what would help you – it is not a test.

How realistic are your chances?

You will not be compared with other applicants. If you live in England, are eligible for the full student finance loan and can provide evidence of a disability or medical condition that affects your studies, you are entitled to the support recommended in your means test. Clear medical or diagnostic evidence is crucial to the outcome. You should therefore gather this evidence well in advance and submit your application in good time before the start of your studies.