There’s extra help available to students who have a disability. Find out if you’re eligible, what’s available and how to apply
| This article has been written by the experts at Student Finance England (SFE), who regularly review and update the information here. |
In this article...
Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) helps pay for any extra essential costs you may have as a direct result of your disability. This could include a:
- long-term health condition,
- mental-health condition, or
- specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia
DSA doesn't depend on household income – what you can get depends on your own needs. You don’t have to pay this back.
What's available
You can get help with the cost of:
- day-to-day costs of studying that are related to your disability. For example, photocopying costs.
- specialist equipment. For example, a computer or disability-related software. Any equipment bought must have been included in the report from your Study Needs Assessment. If your Study Needs Assessment recommends that you need a computer or laptop, you will have to pay £200 towards it.
- a non-medical helper. For example, a British Sign Language interpreter. This person cannot be a friend or family member.
2025 to 2026 academic year
Full-time and part-time undergraduate students and postgraduate students can get up to £27,783 a year of DSA support.
2024 to 2025 academic year
Full-time and part-time undergraduate students and postgraduate students can get up to £26,948 a year of DSA support.
Eligibility for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)
You can apply for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) if you have a disability or condition that affects your ability to study, such as a:
- learning difficulty, such as dyslexia or ADHD
- mental health condition, such as anxiety or depression
- physical disability, such as if you’re partially sighted or have to use a wheelchair
- long-term health condition, such as cancer, chronic heart disease or HIV
You must also:
- be an undergraduate or postgraduate student (including Open University or distance learning)
- qualify for a Tuition Fee Loan and a Maintenance Loan from Student Finance England
- be studying on a full-time or part-time course that lasts at least a year
You can’t get DSA if you’re:
- only eligible for tuition fee only funding
- eligible for the NHS Disabled Students’ Allowance (this is a separate scheme)
- getting equivalent support from another funding source, like from your university or a social work bursary
- studying a degree apprenticeship course
There is no age limit on who can get DSA.
How to apply for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)
If you’re a full-time undergraduate student and applying for other student finance, such as a Tuition Fee Loan, you’ll be able to apply for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) from your online account after you’ve submitted your main student finance application.
After you’ve applied for DSA, you’ll be told what evidence you need to submit to support your application.
If you’re only applying for DSA and no other type of student finance, you need to complete a paper application form (DSA1). You’ll be able to download this from www.gov.uk/student-finance-forms
The application process for DSA can take around 14 weeks. You should apply and submit your evidence as early as possible to make sure you‘ll have everything you need ready for the start of your course.
Evidence for getting Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)
You won’t automatically get DSA - you need to provide Student Finance England (SFE) with evidence. The application process for DSA can take around 14 weeks, so you should provide your evidence as early as possible to make sure you have everything you need ready for the start of your course.
If you have an online account, you should upload a digital copy through your student finance account.
If you don’t have an online account or if you applied using a paper form, you should send a copy of your evidence with your application. You can send it later by emailing the Student Finance England DSA team.
You can also post copies of your evidence, if you'd prefer.
| Condition | Evidence |
| Disability or long-term health condition | A copy of a report or letter from your doctor or consultant – or a copy of a disability evidence form (external link) completed by a medical professional. |
| Mental health condition | A copy of a report or letter from your doctor or consultant – or a copy of a disability evidence form (external link) completed by a medical professional. |
| Specific learning difficulty | A copy of a ‘diagnostic assessment’ from a practitioner psychologist or suitably qualified specialist teacher. |
Study Needs Assessment
If you’re eligible for DSA, Student Finance England (SFE) will send you a letter with details of your supplier to arrange your needs assessment.
If you give permission, SFE will pass your details directly to the supplier who’ll be in touch to arrange this.
The assessment is paid for through any DSA entitlement you may have.
Your needs assessment
This is an informal meeting with an experienced needs assessor to talk about what equipment and support will help you get the most from your course.
A needs assessment is different from a diagnostic assessment, which is used as evidence of dyslexia. Even if you’ve had a diagnostic assessment, you must also have a needs assessment.
During your application, you can give SFE permission to share your medical evidence with your needs assessor to save you from having to send it.
After you’ve attended your needs assessment, SFE will get a report with the needs assessors’ recommendations. You’ll get another letter to tell you what DSA you're entitled to, once this has been confirmed.
Arranging your needs assessment
Once you’ve been made eligible for DSA:
- your supplier will be in touch within 2 working days of getting your DSA1 eligibility letter
- you’ll be offered a needs assessment appointment within 5 working days of your initial contact with the supplier
- SFE will get a copy of your needs assessment report and will send your DSA2 entitlement letter within 10 working days.
