How to get funding for disabled students: DSA and other support

Starting university or college should be exciting, but for many disabled students and their families, the cost of getting the right support can feel worrying. The good news is that funding is available, and you do not have to work it all out alone.

‍

Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)

One of the main sources of support is Disabled Students’ Allowance, often called DSA. For students receiving a student loan from Student Finance England, DSA helps with study-related costs linked to a disability, long-term illness, mental health condition or learning difficulty. It is based on your individual needs rather than household income, and it does not have to be paid back.

‍

DSA can pay for things such as specialist equipment, assistive technology, non-medical helpers like a BSL interpreter or specialist note taker, disability-related study support, and travel costs where your disability means you cannot use public transport. GOV.UK also advises students not to buy equipment before they have been assessed, as they may not be reimbursed.

‍

Students already receiving finance from Student Finance England, Wales or Northern Ireland can usually start their DSA application through their online student finance account. You will need evidence of your disability or condition. For many students this may be information from a medical professional, such as a GP. Students applying because of a specific learning difficulty are usually asked for a diagnostic report from a qualified psychologist or specialist teacher.

‍

After your eligibility is confirmed, you may have a needs assessment. This is not a test, but is structured as a conversation about what support would help you study effectively. Afterward, you receive recommendations and an entitlement letter explaining what has been agreed.

‍

It is worth applying early, even before your course starts, so support can be ready for your first term.

‍

Disability benefits for students

Disabled students can still be eligible for disability benefits while in education. Being a full-time or part-time student does not automatically stop someone claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP), or Adult Disability Payment (ADP) in Scotland.

‍

PIP is for people aged 16 or over, usually under State Pension age when making a new claim, who have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability that affects daily living or mobility. It is not means-tested, so it can be granted regardless of parental household income, whether you have a student maintenance loan, savings or other income.

‍

It is important to remember that benefits such as PIP are based on how a condition affects everyday life, not simply on having a diagnosis. If course activities appear to contradict what someone has said about their support needs, this could trigger a review. Students should keep clear evidence of the help, adjustments, equipment or rest breaks they need to study safely and independently.

‍

Bursaries for disabled students

DSA and PIP are not the only options when it comes to financial help for disabled students. Many universities and colleges offer bursaries, grants and scholarships that do not usually need to be repaid. Some are specifically for disabled students, while others are based on household income, care experience, course choice, academic achievement, sport, music, volunteering, or widening participation criteria. Check the funding pages for each university you're applying to carefully, as eligibility rules, deadlines and application processes vary.

‍

It is also worth asking about hardship funds or emergency funds. These are designed for students experiencing financial difficulty and may be able to help with living costs, diagnostic assessments, specialist equipment contributions, or unexpected expenses. Disability Rights UK notes that disabled students are often among the groups prioritised for these funds, although each institution manages its own scheme.

‍

Support for university students with disabilities can also come from charities and trusts. For example, Turn2us offers a grants search tool, while organisations such as the Snowdon Trust support disabled students with essential disability-related study costs that are not covered elsewhere.

‍

Save money as a student with the National Disability Card

Disabled students can also apply for the National Disability Card, which offers a range of online shopping discounts amounting to potentially £100s of savings every year. ‍The National Disability & Carers Card scheme was set up in 2019 by carers to make everyday life and access easier for people with disabilities and those who care for them. The scheme supports 250,000 card holders and provides easy-to-carry visual identification that helps users avoid repeatedly explaining their disability or caring role. The National Disability Card is accepted as proof of disability at 600+ venues across the UK and abroad.