UK Government - Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs)

Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs)

You will receive up to about EUR 32,000 (27,783 GBP) per year to cover the additional study costs you incur due to a disability, a long-term illness, a mental health condition or a learning difficulty. This support is based on your individual needs, not on your household income, and you will never have to repay it. This can be used to fund specialist equipment such as a 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 you are unable to use public transport due to your disability. The money is usually paid directly to the providers, not to you. If you are granted a computer, you pay the first 200 GBP yourself. This is a government grant from Student Finance England.

Who can apply

• Where you live: You live in England.
• Your condition: You have a disability that affects your studies. This includes learning difficulties (such as dyslexia or ADHD), mental health conditions (such as anxiety or depression), physical disabilities, sensory impairments (such as deafness or visual impairment) and chronic illnesses (such as cancer, chronic heart disease or HIV).
• 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.
• Your course: You are studying a fundable bachelor’s or master’s degree programme in the UK that lasts at least one year. This includes first degrees, foundation degrees, HNCs/HNDs, PGCE programmes and teacher training courses.
• Field of study: Open to all subjects.
• When you cannot get it: You are either eligible for a loan to cover your tuition fees, or you are eligible for the separate NHS grants for students with disabilities, or you receive equivalent support elsewhere, or you are undertaking higher education or a course leading to an academic qualification.

How to apply

You apply for this online via your ‘Student Finance’ account, usually at the same time as applying for your student finance. You will need medical or diagnostic evidence of your condition. ‘Student Finance England’ will let you know within four weeks whether you are eligible. You will then be contacted by a service provider (Study Tech or Capita) for an informal needs assessment. This is a discussion about what support you need, not a test. Do not buy any equipment before this needs assessment, as you will not be reimbursed for the costs.

How realistic are your chances?

This is not a means-tested grant. There is no set funding limit and no ranking system compared to other applicants. If you live in England, are eligible for full student finance and can provide evidence of a disability that affects your studies, you are entitled to support. The biggest hurdle is providing valid evidence and allowing sufficient time, as the entire process can take up to 14 weeks. Apply for the funding well in advance.