Apply for Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)

Disabled Students’ Allowance is a government fund that helps students who are resident in the UK to pay additional course costs or expenses caused by their disability, ongoing medical condition, longstanding mental health problem or specific learning difficulty.

DSA is not ‘means tested’. This means household income is not considered when calculating entitlement. It is paid in addition to your student funding award, for example, your student loan, and you don’t have to pay it back.

University assistance available may meet your support needs and you might not need to apply for DSA. Your support needs and eligibility to apply for DSA will be discussed when you meet with a Disability Adviser.

Eligibility

If you are an undergraduate or postgraduate student normally resident in the UK and studying full time or part time, working to at least 50% of a full-time Higher Education qualification, you can apply for DSA through your funding authority:

• Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS)
• Student Finance England
• Student Finance Wales
• Student Finance Northern Ireland

There are some exceptions for postgraduate study. There are also residence requirements. 

If you have questions about your eligibility, complete this online form.

Evidence of your disability

When you apply, you will be asked to produce evidence of your disability to check that you are eligible to apply for DSA.  

You will be asked to provide medical evidence, such as a letter or report from a medical professional like a consultant, a general practitioner (GP) or a specialist nurse, if you have:

• a physical disability
• a sensory impairment
• a medical condition
• an illness
• a mental health condition

If you have a specific learning difficulty like dyslexia, you must provide a diagnostic report prepared by a psychologist or a suitably qualified specialist.  

Before you apply for DSA

You should inform the University’s Disability Service that you are planning to apply for DSA. It is likely that your application form will have to be signed by the University before it is sent to your funding authority. 

Applying for DSA can be a long process. We recommend that you prepare your documents as soon as your offer to study at the University has been confirmed.

To ask for support from the Disability Service before you apply, complete this online form. 

What to expect when you apply

You will be required to send evidence of your disability with your application. This may mean providing more up-to-date supporting documents.

After the funding body has processed your application

You will be asked to complete a Needs Assessment. This will provide the funding authority with evidence that any equipment or help requested is necessary and appropriate to your needs. 

The Needs Assessment can be carried out by a DSA Assessor at an Access Centre. However, if you have a specific learning difficulty or mental health problem, the Needs Assessment can be carried out by a DSA Assessor from the University. 

Needs assessment report

The University will write and send your Needs Assessment report to your funding authority. The report will list equipment, non-medical personal help and other additional support.

After a successful application

Money will either be paid:

• into your bank account, if you are a SAAS funded student
• directly to the equipment supplier, if you are a Student Finance England, Wales or Northern Ireland funded student

Buying equipment

You can buy your equipment through the recommended supplier or suppliers listed in your DSA report. This is not essential for SAAS funded students. 

If you do not buy all the equipment listed in your report:

• you will have to return any money left over to your funding authority
• you cannot use the money left over to buy a more expensive piece of equipment

Once your equipment is received, equipment training included in the Needs Assessment report can be carried out by the relevant training provider.

SAAS funded students are required to send SAAS clear photocopies of all receipts within six weeks of buying the equipment. You should keep a copy of the original receipts for your records. 

Support from a University Disability Adviser

A Disability Adviser will be available to:

• give you information, advice and guidance
• help you to order equipment, if necessary
• arrange:
  • loan equipment, where available, until your funding is approved
  • non-medical personal helpers (NMPH), if necessary
  • assessment adjustments and other institutional support on your behalf