Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs) :Cross Stitch – Disabled people
Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs) provide extra financial help for disabled students. You may get DSAs if you have a disability, ongoing health condition, mental-health condition or specific learning difficulty like dyslexia. Find out what’s available and how to apply.
The amount you get depends on your specific needs, not your household income. The figures in the table are the maximum amounts available. Any money for equipment and support is paid directly to the supplier. If you claim back money for any additional expenses, this is paid directly into your account.
| Full-time | up to £5,161 for whole course | up to £20,520 a year | up to £1,724 a year |
| Part-time | up to £5,161 for whole course | up to £15,390 a year | up to £1,293 a year |
| Post-graduate | postgraduates are paid a single allowance, including travel costs – up to £10,260 a year |
The amount part-time students get is affected by their ‘course intensity’ – the length of the course each year compared to a full-time course.
You can also claim additional travel costs you pay because of your disability.
You can apply for DSAs if:
- your condition affects your ability to study
- you qualify for student finance – see ‘Who qualifies for student finance’
- you’re an undergraduate or postgraduate (including Open University or distance learning students)
- your course lasts at least one year
Part-time courses must take:
- no more than twice as long to complete as the full-time equivalent (for students starting before 1 September 2023)
- no more than four times as long to complete as the full-time equivalent (for students starting courses from 1 September 2023
You can’t get DSAs if you’re:
- an EU student
- eligible for an NHS bursary
- getting equivalent support from another funding source – for example, from your university or a social work bursary
If you’re not eligible, see the section ‘Help and Advice’ for other sources of funding.
The application process can take up to four months to complete. If you’re an Open University (OU) student, you should apply directly to the OU.
Step 1 – Tell Student Finance England about your disability
Complete one of these forms:
- DSA1 ‘short’ – if you’re also applying for DSAs and other student finance
- DSA1 ‘full’ – if you’re only applying for DSAs or you’re a part-time, postgraduate or distance learning student
For large print, Braille or audio versions contact Student Finance England:
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 0141 243 3686
Include your name, address, customer reference number and the format you need in the email.
Only send photocopies, not originals, of any documents
Send proof of your disability or condition with your application – for example, a letter from your doctor or specialist.
It’s your responsibility to pay for any medical evidence but you may be able to get financial help from the Access to Learning Fund to cover these costs.
If you have a specific learning difficulty (like dyslexia), the proof you need is known as a ‘post 16 diagnostic report’. You need to get this report from one of the following:
- a chartered or practitioner psychologist
- a specialist teacher holding a current Assessment Practising Certificate
If you are eligible for DSAs, Student Finance England will write to you, asking you to arrange a Needs Assessment for equipment and support.
After you attend a Needs Assessment you will receive a report, listing equipment and other support you may need for your course. Student Finance England will also get a copy of this report.
Once Student Finance England have received your Needs Assessment Report, they will send you an agreement letter, listing the equipment and other support your DSAs will cover. There will also be instructions about how to order your equipment or arrange other support.
If you have any additional costs (apart from equipment and support), you can claim these back. You’ll have to fill in the DSA expenses claim form and send it to Student Finance England along with your receipts.
The DSA expenses claim form for 2012/13 will be available in October 2012.
If your application is turned down you can ask for an explanation and a review of your case. Contact Student Finance England for more detail.
Contact Student Finance England if your circumstances change. For example:
- if your condition gets worse you may get extra help
- if you change course you may still get DSAs
If you’re eligible for an NHS bursary, you can apply for equivalent DSA support from the NHS.
For advice about finance for disabled students, contact the disability adviser at your university or college or speak to Student Finance England.
The Disability Alliance has a guide for disabled students who are thinking about going into higher education. To order a copy:
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 0800 328 5050