DSA funded support – What is it and how to apply?
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:
- learning difficulty, for example dyslexia or ADHD
- mental health condition like anxiety or depression
- physical disability, for example if you’re partially sighted or have to use crutches
- long-term health condition such as cancer, chronic heart disease or HIV
You must also:
- be an undergraduate or postgraduate student (including Open University or distance learning)
- qualify for student finance from Student Finance England
- be studying on a course that lasts at least a year
Courses that can be funded by the DSA
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 (ITT)
How to apply?
You’ll need to apply for DSA via Student Finance England. You can find out by using the information below. You don’t have to have a confirmed place at a university before you apply for your DSA. We recommend you apply early so this is in place before your course starts, but you can apply at any point during your studies.
Website: gov.uk: how-to-claim a DSA
I’m so thankful that I’ve been able to receive specialist mentoring because of the wonderful personalised support that has helped me get through university
Some days I’ve been feeling down, but after my session I leave feeling infinitely better because it’s an outlet for whatever’s on my mind and my mentor’s warmth and enthusiasm is really uplifting.
Cansu T, Zoology Student
I have massively benefitted from the help that my mentor has offered
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With the help of my mentor I have done things I didn't think I'd be able to
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I can’t stress enough how much Specialist Mentoring had a positive impact on my university experience
Mentoring taught me so much: how to manage my time better, how to revise efficiently, and most importantly, how to cope with my anxiety on a day-to-day basis. Specialist Mentoring made my university experience a positive one, and I don’t think I would be the person I am today without it.
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