BREAK IT DOWN
Understanding the Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSA)
The Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) is funding from the Government to cover any extra costs you have to pay to study that a non-disabled person wouldn’t have to.
Key facts
The DSA funding is not a loan, it does not have to be paid back and is not means-tested
It can fund up to a maximum of £27,783 per year (for 2025/26)
On average students get support costing £1,250 per year
How can the DSA help?
Specialist equipment
Funding toward a computer
Software
Printer/scanner
Headphones/headsets
Recording pens/microphones
Non-Medical Helpers
Specialist Study Skills Tutors
Mental health / AS Mentors
Assistive technology trainers
BSL Interpreters
Guides / Mobility Assistants
General Support & Travel
Printer ink & paper costs
Private accommodation costs
Fridges
Additional costs of travel to and from college or university
How do you apply for the DSA?
Apply for your general student finance
Add DSA to your finance application
Upload medical evidence
Wait to hear from Student Finance asking you to book a needs assessment
What is a needs assessment?
A needs assessment identifies appropriate solutions to enable disability-related study difficulties to be overcome and makes recommendations for how the funding should be used to implement those solutions.
How it works
Needs assessments take around 1 - 2 hours to complete
They can be online or in-person, you choose
You can take a friend or family member with you
They are not an assessment of your disability or ability to study
What happens next?
A report recommending your support is sent to Student Finance
Student Finance decide the recommendations the DSA can fund
You get told how to order the equipment, arrange any non-medical help or claim back any costs