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Who Disabled Students' Allowances are aimed at

Disabled Students' Allowances are grants to help meet the extra course costs students can face as a direct result of a disability or specific learning difficulty. They are aimed at helping disabled people to study on an equal basis with other students.

Eligible full-time, part-time and postgraduate students can apply for Disabled Students' Allowances.

The amount you get doesn't depend on your household income. Disabled Students' Allowances are paid on top of the standard student finance package, and don't have to be paid back.

What they can be used for

Disabled Students' Allowances can help pay for:

Eligibility

You can apply if you are doing:

• a full-time course that lasts at least one year (including a distance-learning course)
• a part-time course that lasts at least one year and doesn't take more than twice as long to complete as an equivalent full-time course (including a distance-learning course)

Checking that you're eligible for student finance

To apply for financial help through Disabled Students' Allowances, both you and your course must meet some other conditions. It's worth checking these before you make your application.

• Eligibility for student finance (general education and learning section)

Getting proof of your disability or specific learning difficulty

To apply, you will have to show evidence of your disability.

If you have an impairment, medical condition, illness or a mental health condition, you will need to provide medical proof of this - for example, a letter from an appropriate medical professional.

If you have a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, you must provide evidence in the form of a 'diagnostic assessment' from a psychologist or suitably qualified specialist teacher. If you have had a diagnostic assessment in the past, it may need to be updated.

You will have to pay for any tests to establish your eligibility for Disabled Students' Allowances. If you need a test but cannot afford to pay for it, you may be able to get financial help through your university or college's Access to Learning Fund.

• Access to Learning Fund: extra help if you need it (general education and learning section)

Who doesn't qualify

If you are eligible for a bursary from the NHS, you do not qualify for Disabled Students' Allowances from Student Finance England or your local authority. You can, however, apply for equivalent help through the NHS bursary scheme.

You also won't qualify for Disabled Students' Allowances from Student Finance England or your local authority if you're a postgraduate student getting:

• a research council bursary or award
• a social work bursary from the NHS Business Services Authority that includes equivalent support
• a bursary or award from your college or university that includes equivalent support

You should contact the provider of your bursary or award for advice on any extra support you may be entitled to because of a disability.

• Finance for NHS and social work courses (general education and learning section)

How much you can get

This is based on your individual needs, but there are maximum amounts for the different allowances.

• Disabled Students' Allowances - how much you can get

How to apply

Follow the link below for details on how full-time, part-time and postgraduate students can apply. You'll also find information on who to approach if your application is turned down and you want to appeal.

• Disabled Students' Allowances - how to apply

More information

You can get more information about Disabled Students' Allowances from the booklet, 'bridging the gap'. You can download a copy from this site, or ask your local authority to send you one.

• Download bridging the gap: a guide to Disabled Students' Allowances in higher education 2009/2010 (PDF, 538K)
• Download bridging the gap: a guide to Disabled Students' Allowances in higher education 2008/2009 (PDF, 277K)
• Help with PDF files
• Contact your local authority (student finance applications) Opens new window

Other forms of student finance

Disabled Students' Allowances are paid on top of the standard package of financial help available to students.

See 'Student finance' to find out about other forms of help for higher education students, including Student Loans, grants and bursaries.

If you're a postgraduate student, see 'Financing your postgraduate course'.

• Student finance (general education and learning section)
• Financing your postgraduate course (general education and learning section)

Not from England?

• Student finance: not from England (general education and learning section)