Help if you're a student with a learning difficulty, health problem or disability

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Eligibility

You can apply for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) if you live in England and have a disability that affects your ability to study, such as a:

  • specific learning difficulty, for example dyslexia or ADHD
  • mental health condition, for example anxiety or depression
  • physical disability, for example if you have to use crutches, a wheelchair or a special keyboard
  • sensory disability, for example if you’re visually impaired, deaf or have a hearing impairment
  • long-term health condition, for example cancer, chronic heart disease or HIV

You must also:

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

Who is not eligible

You cannot get DSA from Student Finance England if you’re:

  • eligible for tuition fee-only funding
  • eligible for NHS Disabled Students’ Allowances (this is a separate scheme)
  • getting equivalent support from another funding source, like from your university or a social work bursary
  • on a higher or degree apprenticeship course

Proving you’re eligible

You will not automatically get DSA - you need proof of your eligibility.

Condition Proof
Disabilities or long-term health condition A copy of a report or letter from your doctor or consultant - or you can fill in the disability evidence form
Mental health condition A copy of a report or letter from your doctor or consultant - or you can fill in the disability evidence form
Specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia A copy of a ‘diagnostic assessment’ from a practitioner psychologist or suitably qualified specialist teacher

You could get extra help to pay for a new diagnostic assessment.

How to submit your evidence

You can send proof of a health condition or learning disability to Student Finance England through your online account - if you have one. You can also send your proof by email or post.

Disability evidence for student finance 
dsa_medical_evidence@slc.co.uk

Student Finance England
PO Box 210
Darlington
DL1 9HJ

Your course

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

  • a first degree, for example 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
  • a level 4 or 5 course with Higher Technical Qualification approval

Check with your university or college if you’re not sure whether your course qualifies for funding.

Part-time course intensity

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

Part-time undergraduate courses

Your course cannot be more than 4 times longer than the equivalent full-time course. Your course must last at least a year.

Part-time postgraduate master’s courses

If you’re applying for a Postgraduate Loan for a part-time master’s degree, the course must not last more than twice as long as the full-time equivalent.