Funding your support – Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)
The Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) is funding that helps you cover any extra study-related costs you may have due to a mental health or long term health condition, learning differences like dyslexia or ADHD, or any other disability.
You can apply for DSA as soon as student finance applications open, you don’t need to have started your course. We’d encourage you to apply early so you can get your support in place at the start of your studies.
Most students with a physical disability or mental health condition, long term health condition or specific learning difference can apply for DSA. For postgraduate researchers, the process for applying may differ slightly.
Depending on your needs you can get help towards the cost of:
- Specialist equipment, like assistive software and equipment.
- Specialist one-to-one study skills support
- Specialist one-to-one mentoring, for instance, an Autism mentor to help with strategies that can support your academic learning
- Other costs you pay because of your disability, for example extra travel to attend your course
DSA funding isn’t a loan, you don’t have to pay this money back.
Please note: Personal Care cannot be funded through DSA, although Adult Services in your area may be able to help.
Below are the DSA pages for each country in the United Kingdom. Click the link for your home country to read detailed guidance on how to apply and the forms you need to fill in.
If you are a DSA Needs Assessor, please see our Information for Needs Assessors page for information about our rates and the support available to our students.
The DSA Process
Watch this ’Applying for DSA’ video, which talks you through the stages.
