DSA eligibility FAQs
Our FAQs will help you find out if you're eligible for the Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA).
Our FAQs will help you find out if you're eligible for the Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA).
Although the support is called ‘Disabled Students’ Allowance’, you may be eligible even if you don’t identify as disabled. The allowance covers a range of different experiences and diagnoses, including:
'Substantial'
The Equality Act defines 'substantial' as 'more than minor or trivial'.
Are the barriers you are experiencing different to those faced by people who don’t have your diagnosis or condition? The Act gives the example of whether it takes longer to 'complete a daily task like getting dressed'. It may be helpful to think about this in the context of your university experience – do you notice you find things harder than your peers? For example:
'Long-term'
The Equality Act defines 'long-term' as either:
For example, if you have a progressive condition like HIV or cancer, you will meet the definition from the moment you are diagnosed.
This also applies if you have a condition that fluctuates. For example, if you have a chronic pain condition that gets better and worse over time, you will meet the definition of disability as long as the effects are likely to continue for at least a year.
In Scotland, you will be eligible if you 'have extra costs because of your impairment'. The Student Awards Agency for Scotland, which arranges DSA support for students, recommends contacting a disability adviser at your college or university to talk through your situation and whether you will be eligible.
In the Channel Islands, guidance states that DSA support may be available for students with a disability or specific learning difference. Both the Island of Jersey and States of Guernsey recommend getting in contact with the student finance team to discuss your specific circumstances and find out if you may be eligible:
In the Isle of Man, you will be eligible for DSA support if you can show evidence that you will incur substantial extra costs at university because of the barriers you face related to your disability. This includes physical and mental health conditions, and specific learning differences. Find out more about DSA in the Isle of Man.
There’s no exhaustive list of which conditions make someone eligible for DSA. However, you can use the guidance for your country to work out if you may be eligible.
You can access DSA if you meet the definition of disability in the 2010 Equality Act. This means you must have a "physical or mental impairment that has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities”.
If you have a diagnosis that falls under the umbrella of neurodiversity or received SEN support during your time at school, it’s likely that you will be eligible for DSA.
In higher education, the phrase 'Specific Learning Difference or SpLD' is usually used instead of neurodiversity, neurodivergence or SEN, but it refers to the same diagnoses. This usually includes ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia and Dysgraphia (but this is not an exhaustive list).
If you have a disability, long-term health condition or mental health condition, you will need to provide a copy of:
If you are neurodiverse/neurodivergent or have a specific learning difference, you will need to provide a copy of:
You can access DSA if you are studying either an undergraduate or postgraduate degree. This includes distance learning courses.
Your degree must also be:
You may be eligible for DSA if you are studying a:
You also may be eligible if you’re studying a Level 4 or 5 qualification with HTQ approval (eg Certificate, Diploma, NVQ).
If you’re taking an apprenticeship, you will not be eligible for DSA support. However, you may be able to:
No. You can apply for DSA as soon as you apply for student finance.
If you are not applying for student finance, you can begin your DSA application as soon as student finance applications open (usually in February or March).
You don’t have to receive student finance to get DSA.
However, if you are receiving student finance, you can submit your DSA application as a part of your student finance application. This includes: