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