As a higher education student living in England, you can apply for a Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) if you have a:

• disability
• long-term health condition
• mental health condition
• specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia

The support you get depends on your individual needs and not on income.

Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs) are paid on top of your other student finance and don't have to be repaid.

How much you get depends on your individual needs - not your household income. If you're a part-time student your ‘course intensity’ can affect how much you get.

2013 to 2014 academic year

Postgraduates can get a single allowance of up to £10,260 a year.

These figures are the maximum amounts - most students get less.

2014 to 2015 academic year

Postgraduates can get a single allowance of up to £10,362 a year.

These figures are the maximum amounts - most students get less.

What DSAs can pay for

You can get help with the costs of:

• specialist equipment, like computer software
• non-medical helpers, like a note-taker or reader
• extra travel costs you have to pay because of your disability
• other costs, like photocopying

DSAs don't cover disability-related costs you'd have if you weren't attending a course, or costs that any student might have.

Your 'needs assessment'

Once your eligibility for DSAs is confirmed, Student Finance England will ask you to contact an assessment centre to work out what help you need.

This is known as a needs assessment. Don’t book this until Student Finance England asks you to.

The assessment is paid for through any DSAs entitlement you may have.

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

How DSAs are paid

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

You can apply for Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs) if you have a:

• disability or long-term health condition
• mental health condition
• specific learning difficulty like dyslexia or dyspraxia

You must also:

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

Who isn’t eligible

You can't get DSAs from Student Finance England if you're:

• an EU student
• eligible for an NHS Disabled Students’ Allowance (this is a separate scheme)
• getting equivalent support from another funding source - eg from your university or a social work bursary

Proving you’re eligible

You won't automatically get DSAs - you need proof of your eligibility.

You could get help from the Access to Learning Fund if you need a new diagnostic assessment.

Your course

Your course must be in the UK and one of the following:

• a first degree, eg 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

For part-time students, your course intensity can affect how much 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 when your course begins.

Part-time courses starting before 1 September 2012

Your course must not last more than twice as long as the equivalent full-time course.

Part-time courses starting from 1 September 2012

You must study at a rate of at least 25% of an equivalent full-time course in each academic year. The course must last at least 1 year.

To apply for Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs) send form DSA1 to Student Finance England.

Application form

If you've applied for student finance use version ‘DSA1 short’. If you're only applying for DSAs use version ‘DSA1 full’.

Costs claim form

Costs claim forms are used to claim back money you spend during the year on things like photocopying or printer ink cartridges.

Use the claim form for the academic year the expenses relate to.

Where to send your forms

Student Finance England
PO Box 210
Darlington
DL1 9HJ

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.