Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA): All You Need

What is Disabled Students Allowance (DSA)? 

The Disabled Students Allowance or DSA is a form of extra financial support available to students who are disabled to get higher education in the UK. This pecuniary allowance is introduced by the UK government as part of the wider student finance system. This disability can be a long-term health condition, anxiety, depression, or a mental or physical disability such as dyslexia or a specific learning difficulty. The student finance DSA is helpful for the disabled. They will get around £27,783 a year.

It assists to cover the extra costs aspirants might experience while studying because of their disability, for example, non-medical help (such as a note-taker or professional mentors), specialist equipment, and travel expenses. In addition, DSA is not a loan and does not need to be repaid. The DSA is not a loan but a financial support given by the UK government to disabled students. The key features and considerations of the disabled students allowance are stated below.

Key Features

1. It’s a non-repayable financial support: DSA does not need to be repaid, unlike a student loan.
2. Cover study-related costs that are not included in the standard student funding or reasonable alterations made by the students.
3. Individual support is tailored according to the student’s specific needs.
4. Offered several types of support, such as

• Specialist Equipment: software, computer hardware, etc.
• Non-medical Helpers: BSL interpreters, mentors, or note-takers
• Travel Expenses: transport from or to campus, or for any fieldwork.

Key Consideration

1. DSA is not aimed at covering tuition fees.
2. DSA only provide support to disability students with disabilities, not to every student who has minor health issues
3. DSA students’ incomes will not be affected by their eligibility.
4. DSA covers student accommodationinUK only.

This was the DSA meaning in brief, along with the key features and considerations. Now, let’s explore the eligibility criteria of disabled students allowance in the next section.

Who is Eligible for DSA?

UK Students often consider getting disabled students allowance challenging,because of the application process, long approval time and accessing support may feel like biting the bullet. But, it’s not what you think; if you follow the eligibility criteria correctly, you can get this government-based grant easily. The DSA student finance is helpful for those students who are physically and mentally disabled. So, before applying, individuals must go through the eligibility requirements for DSA student finance. So below is the breakdown of who is eligible for disabled students allowance, have a look.

1. Disability: The student’s disability should be matched to the definition stated in the Equality Act 2010, which includes physical disabilities, mental health conditions, long-term health disorders or having special learning difficulties like dyslexia.
2. Impact on Studies: The disability should affect the student’s capability to not able to pursue their course.
3. Student Finance Ability: The students should be qualified for student finance, which consists of meeting certain residency requirements.
4. Course Duration: The Specific course chosen by the students must have a minimum duration of one year.
5. Course Type: Chosen course can be of any type, such as part-time, full-time, undergraduate or postgraduate and must be studied in UK universities
6. Evidence of Disability: For most of the disabilities, a doctor’s report and medical proof are enough for evidence. Also, for specific disabilities like dyslexia, a diagnostic assessment from a qualified professional is compulsory.

If you are eligible and meet all these points, then you can easily get your disabled students allowance grant.

What Does the DSA Cover?

The disabled students allowance covers many things under this endowment. This government support is only given to disabled students who are affected by their disability in their aptitude to pursue studies. The DSA funds can be used for several study-related expenses. Here are the facilities provided by the DSA.

• Specialist Equipment– It can help with things such as software, computers, or other specialised equipment that a student may require because of their disability.
• Non-Medical Helpers– This comprises specialist mentoring, note takers, and British Sign Language interpreters.
• Travel Cost - DSA also cover the extra travel overheads a student incurs because of their disability when attending or coming to the classes or going for placement.
• Other Disability-Related Cost – DSA can also assist in other costs, like providing specialised software for learning difficulties or printing extra copies of any documents for learning. Also, they provide accommodation to disabled students in the UK.

These are the facilities covered in the disabled students allowance that are offered to students. Let’s move on to the next section to explore whether DSA give you money or only covers these facilities.

How Much Does Disabled Students Allowance Pay

You must be thinking, does DSA give you money? The answer is yes; it does give money to the disabled students. This money helps you to cover tuition fees and other study-related expenses. No doubt you get extra assistance under this. In addition, DSA allowance varies depending on the academic year in which you are going to pursue your studies. The maximum allowance given in the 2025-2026 academic year is up to £27,783 - £34000.

Another question that creates confusion is “how much is disabled students' allowance per month?” The answer is it’s not a monthly allowance but an annual allowance given for a year. You can reapply for the disabled students allowance in every academic year only when you are changing courses, switching between part-time and full-time, repeating a year, or suspending studies. Also, Student Finance England (SFE) is the appropriate body for DSA applications in England.

How to Apply for Disabled Students Allowance

The disabled students allowance grant is primarily a UK-based financial support given to those who are ordinarily resident in the UK. Many students face challenges in registering for the DSA, but the steps can help you to easily apply for DSA. So let’s explore these steps.

1. Firstly, check eligibility
2. Fill out the DSA1 application form
3. Gather supporting evidence or documents
4. You can either apply online or by post
5. Afterwards, attend a needs assessment session where providers will discuss students’ support needs
6. Lastly, you will receive support such as required technology, a helper or other resources.

Note that in DSA allowance, don’t buy anything from your side before any need assessment, try to apply as early as possible, and contact the Student Finance England or your funding authority for any questions. Thus, follow these steps to apply for DSA support grant.

Conclusion

We have reached the end of this blog, the Disabled Students Allowance is a UK-based financial support grant provided to disabled students. It’s a non-repayable grant, unlike a student loan. This can be taken by the students who have long-term health problems, mental or physical disorders, etc. However, student finance DSA is only accessible in the UK and allotted to those who have been specifically residing in this nation for a long period. If you are a disabled student, living in the UK and want to pursue higher studies, DSA can be your heling buddy. If you need guidance on this or want to know the cost of living in UK, or want to save money in UK you can reach out to our experts at GraddingHomes.com. They will not only assist you with this but can also help in finding the best student accommodation in abroad. So call us now!

FAQs

1. How long does it take to get Disabled Students Allowance approved?

The application process time for Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) is 14 weeks. In this long period, many factors are being analysed, such as the time for application review, arranging support, and need assessment. It is recommended to apply as early as possible before the beginning of the academic beginning of the academic year.

2. Do I have to repay the Disabled Students Allowance?

No, generally you do not have to repay Disabled Students Allowance (DSA). It is a grant designed for students with disabilities to cover their extra study costs, and it's usually not required to be paid back by the students. However, there are some cases in which you have to repay, that is, if you are overpaid or if you leave your course early.

3. Can I apply for Disabled Students Allowance if I have anxiety or depression?

Yes, you can apply for Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) if you have anxiety or depression. DSA is accessible to students with disabilities, including those who have a mental health condition such as depression and anxiety, that affects their ability to study.

4. Is Disabled Students Allowance available for online students?

Yes, Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) is accessible for students taking online courses. According to the GOV. UK students must be qualified for student need and meet all the requirements of having a disability that limits their capability to study, as specified by the Equality Act 2010

5. Are UK universities free for disabled students?

No, UK universities are not free for disabled students. But by using the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) grant, you can cover the extra cost linked with your disability while studying. In addition, this allowance is distinct from living costs and tuition fees, and it does not need to be repaid.