Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) is a grant intended to cover the extra costs of having a disability, long-term illness, mental health condition, or specific learning difficulty such as an autistic spectrum condition, dyslexia or dyspraxia. This activity explains DSA, why it could be relevant to you and how to claim it.

Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs) are non-means-tested allowances that disabled students who are already on, or have applied to study, a higher education course can apply for. 

Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs) is funding available for Higher Education students, who are disabled, long term health condition, mental health condition, or specific learning difference (SpLD) such as dyslexia. 

Funding may be awarded for support workers, equipment and assistive software, travel and other allowances. 

The allowance covers additional study-related costs that students will incur because of their disability. DSAs are paid on top of the standard student finance package but are not measured against your income and do not need to be repaid. DSAs are available to both new and existing students both full and part time. 

DSAs only help with costs and support directly related to study. Any support you may need that is not study related (i.e. support you would need whether studying or not) will need to be provided from other sources. Our disabled student funding information can give you more advice on disability benefits and allowances. You can also visit UWE DSA information