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What are DSAs?

DSAs are grants to help meet the extra course costs students can face as a result of a disability. They help disabled people to study in higher education on an equal basis with other students.

They are paid on top of the standard student finance package and don't have to be paid back.

The amount you get depends on the type of extra help you need - not on your household income.

What can DSAs be used for?

They can help pay for:

• specialist equipment you need for studying like computer software
• non-medical helpers, such as a note-taker or reader
• extra travel costs you have to pay because of your disability
• other costs like tapes or Braille paper
  

Who can get DSAs?

You can apply for DSAs if you are doing an undergraduate or postgraduate course (including a distance-learning course) that is:

• full-time and lasts at least one year
• part-time, lasts at least one year and doesn't take more than twice as long to complete as an equivalent full-time course

Check that you're eligible for student finance

To apply for DSAs, both you and your course must meet certain conditions. Check these before you apply.

• Eligibility for student finance (general education and learning section)

Who can't get DSAs

If you are eligible for an NHS bursary, you won’t be able to get DSAs, but you can apply for the same help through the NHS.

You also won't be able to get DSAs if you're a postgraduate student getting:

• research council funding
• a social work bursary from the NHS Business Services Authority that includes equivalent support
• funding from your university or college that includes equivalent support
  

Contact Student Finance England for advice on any extra support you may be entitled to because of your disability or condition.

• Finance for NHS and social work courses (general education and learning section)

• Contact Student Finance England

How much can you get?

This is based on your individual needs, but there are maximum amounts for the different allowances.

• Disabled Students' Allowances: how much you can get

How the application process works

Step one: you complete an application form

There are two ways to apply for DSAs:

1. if you’re applying for DSAs only, you complete form DSA1
2. if you’re also applying for the main student finance package, state on the main application that you want to apply for DSAs – and then complete a ‘short’ version of the DSA1 form

Apply as early as possible - don’t wait until you’ve been offered a place at university.

See ‘Disabled Students’ Allowances: application forms’ to find out more.

• Disabled Students' Allowances: application forms

Step two: give proof of your disability or condition

You need to give proof of your disability or condition. This may be a letter from your doctor or consultant.

If you have a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, you’ll need to send a post 16 report from one of the following:

• a chartered or practitioner psychologist
  
• a specialist teacher holding a current Assessment Practising Certificate

You’ll have to pay for any tests to establish whether you qualify for DSAs. If you need a test but cannot afford to pay for it, you may be able to get financial help through your university’s or college's Access to Learning Fund.

• Access to Learning Fund: extra help if you need it (general education and learning section)

• More about submitting evidence to support a student finance application (general education and learning section)

Step three: your application is considered

Student Finance England or the Open University (OU) will consider your application and let you know whether you qualify for DSAs.

Step four: working out how much help you'll need

If you qualify for DSAs, you'll be asked to attend an 'assessment centre' to work out what help you'll need. The centre will then write a report setting out all the help they think you need and will send this to Student Finance England (or the OU). The centre will also send a copy to you.

Step five: you receive your DSAs

If Student Finance England (or the OU) agree with the report, they’ll tell you in writing how to arrange getting your help.

If you need further advice, contact the disability adviser at your university or college.

More information

You can get more information about DSAs from the booklet, 'Bridging the gap: a guide to Disabled Students' Allowances in higher education'.

• Download Bridging the gap: a guide to Disabled Students' Allowances in higher education 2011/12 (PDF, 322K)

• Help with PDF files

Other forms of student finance

See 'Student finance' for information about other help for higher education students, including student loans, grants and bursaries.

If you're a postgraduate student, see 'Funding postgraduate study'.

• Student finance (general education and learning section)

• Funding postgraduate study (general education and learning section)

Not from England?

Useful contacts

• Education and learning contacts for disabled people

• Student finance contacts

• Accessible technology contacts