Help if you're a student with a learning difficulty, health problem or disability

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1. Disabled Students' Allowance

Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) is support to cover the study-related costs you have because of a mental health problem, long-term illness or any other disability.

This can be on its own or in addition to any student finance you get.

The type of support and how much you get depends on your individual needs - not your household income.

You do not need to pay back DSA.

What you’ll get

2024 to 2025 academic year

Undergraduate and postgraduate students can get up to £26,948 a year for support.

2023 to 2024 academic year

Undergraduate and postgraduate students can get up to £26,291 a year for support.

What DSA can pay for

You can get help with the costs of:

  • specialist equipment, for example a computer if you need one because of your disability
  • non-medical helpers, for example a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter or specialist note taker
  • extra travel to attend your course or placement because of your disability
  • other disability-related study support, for example having to print additional copies of documents for proof-reading

DSA does not cover disability-related costs you’d have if you were not 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’

You may be asked to attend an assessment centre to work out what help you need. This is known as a ‘needs assessment’.

You’ll get a letter telling you how to book your needs assessment. You do not need to pay for it.

You’ll need to give a copy of the eligibility evidence you used in your initial application to your needs assessor before your assessment.

After the assessment, you’ll get a report listing equipment and other support you can get for your course.

Do not buy any equipment until you’ve been assessed - you will not be reimbursed for it.

How DSA is paid

Money is paid either into your bank account or directly to the organisation providing the service or equipment.

You’ll find out how your support will be paid to you after your needs assessment.

2. Eligibility

You can apply for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) if you live in England and have a disability that affects your ability to study, such as a:

  • specific learning difficulty, for example dyslexia or ADHD
  • mental health condition, for example anxiety or depression
  • physical disability, for example if you have to use crutches, a wheelchair or a special keyboard
  • sensory disability, for example if you’re visually impaired, deaf or have a hearing impairment
  • long-term health condition, for example cancer, chronic heart disease or HIV

You must also:

  • be an undergraduate or postgraduate student (including Open University or distance learning)
  • qualify for student finance from Student Finance England
  • be studying on a course that lasts at least a year

Who is not eligible

You cannot get DSA from Student Finance England if you’re:

  • eligible for tuition fee-only funding
  • 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
  • on a higher or degree apprenticeship course

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 - or you can fill in the disability evidence form
Mental health condition A copy of a report or letter from your doctor or consultant - or you can 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.

How to submit your evidence

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.

Disability 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 DSA 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.

The rules are different depending on your course.

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.

3. How to apply

How you apply for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) depends on whether you’re studying full-time or part-time.

Full-time undergraduate students

If you’ve already applied for student finance

Sign in to your student finance account to start your DSA application.

The application for DSA should be on your ‘to-do list’ if you chose DSA in your application for other support. If it is not, select ‘change your circumstances’ to apply.

If you do not have an online account because you applied for student finance by post, fill in a student finance form (DSA slim form).

If you have not applied for student finance

You can apply for DSA when you apply for student finance online.

If you do not need student finance, you can fill in a student finance form (DSA1 form) to apply just for DSA.

You cannot apply for student finance online once you’ve applied for DSA.

Part-time and postgraduate students

Fill in a student finance form (DSA1 form) to apply for DSA.

If you’re already getting DSA

Fill in a student finance form (DSA costs claim form) to claim back your expenses.

How long it takes

You’ll get confirmation of whether your application is successful within 6 weeks.

It can take up to 14 weeks to get your DSA support in place as this is done separately.

4. Further information

Contact the disability adviser at your university or college if you need advice about financial help.

If your circumstances change

Contact Student Finance England if your circumstances change as this may affect what you’re entitled to. For example, if your condition gets worse you may be able to get extra help.

Appeals

You can ask for an explanation or to have your case reviewed if your application is turned down. Contact Student Finance England for more details.