Eligibility - Student Finance England

You are eligible for the Disabled Students' Allowance if you are a student on a higher education course, who lives in England. If you do not live in England and want to find more information relevant to where you live, see Other Funding Providers

You must also be able to prove that you have a disability, medical condition, sensory impairment, mental-health condition or a specific learning difficulty which affects your ability to study.

You may find it helpful to contact a Disability Advisor at your University or College, they will be able to tell you if you qualify for DSA.

Do Qualify ?

Course and Institution Eligibility

You have to be on a full-time or part-time undergraduate course (degree, HND level, or Foundation Degree). You may also qualify if you are on some full-time or part-time postgraduate courses which need a degree or similar qualification See: direct.gov for more information.

Evidence of Disability

You have to be able to prove that you have a disability, medical condition, sensory impairment, mental-health condition or a specific learning difficulty which affects your ability to study.

This can be in the form of either a Doctor's Note or Diagnostic Report see Evidence

Do NOT Qualify X

You cannot get the Disabled Students' Allowance if you are:

receiving support equivalent to DSA from another funding provider
an EU student
undertaking a full year, paid work placement as part of a sandwich-course. See Access to Work

You cannot get DSA for more than one course at the same time.

Even if you do not think you are eligible for the Disabled Students' Allowance you may find it helpful to get in contact with a Disability Advisor at your University or College, as you may be eligible for other types of support.