Disabled Students’ Allowance:  England

Important Note: the Department for Innovation, Universities & Skills and the Department for Children, Schools and families now recognises ADHD as a Specific Learning Difficulty

What is the Disabled Students’ Allowance?

Disabled Students' Allowances provide extra financial help if you have a disability or specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia,  ADHD, and Asperger’s. They are available on top of the standard student finance package and don't have to be repaid.

Disabled Students' Allowances are grants to help meet the extra course costs students can face as a direct result of a disability or specific learning difficulty. They are aimed at helping disabled people to study on an equal basis with other students.

Eligible full-time, part-time and postgraduate students can apply for Disabled Students' Allowances.

The amount you get doesn't depend on your household income. Disabled Students' Allowances are paid on top of the standard student finance package, and don't have to be paid back.

What will the Disabled Students’ Allowance pay for?

Disabled Students' Allowances can help pay for specialist equipment you need for studying - for example, computer software and other things as needed.

Who can apply for the Disabled Students’ Allowance?

You can apply if you are doing:

1.  a full-time course that lasts at least one year (including a distance-learning course)

2.  a part-time course that lasts at least one year and doesn't take more than twice as long to complete as an equivalent full-time course (including a distance-learning course)

How much can I get?

The amount of help available through Disabled Students' Allowances is based on an assessment of your individual needs – up to a maximum allowance.

When you apply, you will be asked to go for a needs assessment to establish exactly what support you require. This will be carried out by a person with specialist experience at an independent assessment centre, or at a centre within your college or university. The cost of the needs assessment may be met through your Disabled Students' Allowances.

If you're a part-time student, the amount you can get is also affected by the ‘intensity' of your course – how much time you spend studying compared to a full-time student.

Household income is not taken into account when working out entitlement to Disabled Students' Allowances. They're paid on top of any help you get through the standard student finance package, and you don't have to pay them back.

Maximum allowances are meant to support the highest levels of need, so most people will get less.

What is the maximum allowance for postgraduate students?

Postgraduate students (including Open University students and other distance learners) can apply for a single allowance to cover all costs.  The maximum allowance for 2009/2010 is £10,260.

How do I apply for the Disabled Students’ Allowance?

1.  To apply, you will have to show evidence of your disability.

If you have an impairment, medical condition, illness or a mental health condition, you will need to provide medical proof of this - for example, a letter from an appropriate medical professional.

If you have a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, you must provide evidence in the form of a 'diagnostic assessment' from a psychologist or suitably qualified specialist teacher. If you have had a diagnostic assessment in the past, it may need to be updated.

You will have to pay for any tests to establish your eligibility for Disabled Students' Allowances. If you need a test but cannot afford to pay for it, you may be able to get financial help through your university or college's Access to Learning Fund.

2.   Go to your University Learning Support Centre for advice because most will help you file an application and some may also give you some support before the actual allowance arrives.

3.  Your local authority  will arrange a DSA assessment meeting (students are paid for by the local authority they come from so if,  for example,  you are from Bristol but are going to university elsewhere, you will  apply to Bristol City Council).

It's a good idea to prepare for it by having a think about what aspects of a course and what aspects of studying are affected by factors associated with ADHD. Thinking about  what help /  software / equipment / coaching / mentoring / study skills tuition might be helpful for that is also useful, but the assessor will also have her or his own ideas.

How do I apply if I am an Open University student?

You should apply directly to the Open University's Disabled Students' Allowances (DSA) office. If you tell the Open University that you have a disability when you apply, the office will send you the application form automatically.

Further Information

Student Finance England