Help if you're a student with a learning difficulty, health problem or disability
Eligibility
You can apply for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) if you live in England and have a disability that affects your ability to study, such as a:
- specific learning difficulty, for example dyslexia or ADHD
- mental health condition, for example anxiety or depression
- physical disability, for example if you have to use crutches, a wheelchair or a special keyboard
- sensory disability, for example if you’re visually impaired, deaf or have a hearing impairment
- long-term health condition, for example cancer, chronic heart disease or HIV
You must also be:
- an undergraduate or postgraduate student (including Open University or distance learning)
- eligible for both a Tuition Fee Loan and a Maintenance Loan (full support) from Student Finance England
- studying on a course that lasts at least a year
If your course starts on or after 1 January 2027, you may be able to get Disabled Students’ Allowance for study other than undergraduate or postgraduate degrees.
Who is not eligible
You cannot get DSA from Student Finance England if you’re:
- only eligible for a Tuition Fee Loan and not a Maintenance Loan (tuition fee only funding)
- eligible for NHS Disabled Students’ Allowances (this is a separate scheme)
- getting equivalent support from another funding source, like from your university or a social work bursary
- on a higher or degree apprenticeship course
Proving you’re eligible
You will not automatically get DSA - you need proof of your eligibility.
| Condition | Proof |
|---|---|
| Disabilities or long-term health condition | A copy of a report or letter from your doctor or consultant - or you can fill in the disability evidence form |
| Mental health condition | A copy of a report or letter from your doctor or consultant - or you can fill in the disability evidence form |
| Specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia | A copy of a ‘diagnostic assessment’ from a practitioner psychologist or suitably qualified specialist teacher |
You could get extra money from your university or college to pay for a new diagnostic assessment.
How to submit your evidence
You can send proof of a health condition or learning disability to Student Finance England through your online account - if you have one. You can also send your proof by email or post.
Disability evidence for student finance
dsa_medical_evidence@slc.co.uk
Student Finance England
PO Box 210
Darlington
DL1 9HJ
Your course
Your course must be in the UK and one of the following:
- a first degree, for example BA, BSc or BEd
- a Foundation Degree
- a Certificate of Higher Education
- a Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE)
- a Higher National Certificate (HNC)
- a Higher National Diploma (HND)
- a Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE)
- a postgraduate course
- Initial Teacher Training
- a level 4 or 5 course with Higher Technical Qualification approval
Check with your university or college if you’re not sure whether your course qualifies for funding.
Part-time course intensity
For part-time students, whether you can get DSA depends on your course intensity.
‘Course intensity’ means how long your course takes to complete each year compared to an equivalent full-time course. You can check course intensity with your university or college.
The rules are different depending on your course.
Part-time undergraduate courses
Your course cannot be more than 4 times longer than the equivalent full-time course. Your course must last at least a year.
Part-time postgraduate master’s courses
If you’re applying for a Postgraduate Loan for a part-time master’s degree, the course must not last more than twice as long as the full-time equivalent.