Disabled Students’ Allowance (England)
Extra student finance to pay for disability-related study costs, based on your needs rather than household income.
What you get
Support towards specialist equipment, non-medical helpers, taxi travel if your disability stops you using public transport, and other disability-related study costs. Official GOV.UK figure: undergraduate and postgraduate students can get up to £27,783 per year. You do not need to pay DSA back. If you are assessed as needing a new computer, you need to pay the first £200. Do not buy equipment before your needs assessment — you will not be reimbursed. As of 10 November 2026, from GOV.UK.
Who can get it
You must live in England, have a disability, long-term health condition, mental health condition or specific learning difficulty that affects your ability to study, be eligible for both a Tuition Fee Loan and a Maintenance Loan from Student Finance England, and be on a qualifying undergraduate or postgraduate course (or certain Lifelong Learning Entitlement study). There is a separate NHS DSA scheme. Apprenticeships and some other funding routes are excluded. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own DSA schemes.
How to apply
Apply through Student Finance England and send medical or diagnostic evidence. After an eligibility letter, a supplier will contact you to arrange a needs assessment.