Help if you’re a student with a learning difficulty, health problem or disability
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:
- an EU student who is eligible for fee support only
- 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
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 – you can also fill in the disability evidence form (PDF, 65KB) |
| Mental health condition | A copy of a report or letter from your doctor or consultant – you can also fill in the disability evidence form (PDF, 65KB) |
| 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.
Where to send letters or reports from a doctor
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.
Medical evidence for student finance
[email protected]
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
Check with your university or college that your course is recognised.
Part-time course intensity
2020 to 2021 academic year
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.
Study-related costs
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
2021 to 2022 academic year
Undergraduate and postgraduate students can get up to £25,000 a year for support.
2020 to 2021 academic year
| Specialist equipment allowance | Non-medical helper allowance | General allowance | |
| Full-time undergraduate students | Up to £5,849 for the whole course | Up to £23,258 a year | Up to £1,954 a year |
| Part-time undergraduate students | Up to £5,849 for the whole course | Up to £17,443 a year | Up to £1,465 a year |
Postgraduates can get support of up to £20,580 a year.
These figures are the maximum amounts – most students get less.
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’
Once your eligibility for DSA is confirmed, Student Finance England may ask you to contact an assessment centre to work out what help you need.
This is known as a needs assessment. Do not book this until Student Finance England asks you to.
The assessment is paid for through any DSA entitlement you may have.
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.
How to apply
How you apply for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) depends on whether you’re studying full-time or part-time.
Full-time 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 (form DSA1).
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 (form DSA1) to apply just for DSA.
You cannot apply for student finance online once you’ve applied for DSA
Part-time students
Fill in a student finance form (form DSA1) to apply for DSA.
If you’re already getting DSA
Fill in a student finance form (form DSA1) 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.
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