Applying for student finance and Disabled Students’ Allowance

Last year, 48,517 disabled students got Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA). The quickest and easiest way to apply for DisabledDSA Students’ Allowance is online. But you can also do it on a paper form, if you prefer.

When you apply for your student finance, make sure you tick the box to say you want to apply for DSA. You should then complete the rest of your student finance application and submit.

Once you’ve submitted your student finance application, you’ll need to complete a separate application for DSA. You’ll find this in your ‘to do’ list in your online account.

Don’t wait until we approve your student finance application before you apply for DSA as we’ll assess these at the same time. It’s important to apply early to make sure you get your support in place before the start of your course.

Check out Bethany's DSA experience (ODT, 6.987.09 KB)

Help completing your application

We understand that it can be difficult completing your application for DSA for various reasons.

If you’re having trouble completing your application, you can get in touch with our DSA team who’ll be able to offer their help.

You can also speak to your university, college or school, who may have a Disability Liaison officer or Well-being advisor who can also help you fill in your DSA application.

Information about your disability or condition

As part of your application for DSA, you’ll need to give us some supporting documents about your disability or condition. You should try and give us these documents as soon as you can. This means we’ll have everything we need to work out what help you can get before your course starts.

For more information on what documents you can send us, check out our eligibility page.

If you’re still not sure what documents to send us for your condition, you can get in touch with our DSA team for help.

Getting your application in early

The earlier you apply, the earlier you’ll be able to arrange your needs assessment and get any support or equipment in place for the start of your course.

It can take up to 100 days for us to get your DSA support in place. If your course starts in September, you should have your application in by the beginning of June.

If your application is late, you may not have the support you need in place for the start of your course. In some cases, disabled students have had to leave their course because they haven’t had the support they need.

You don’t need a confirmed place at university or college to apply for DSA, so don’t wait for offers. You should apply using your preferred choice and you can simply update your details if anything changes.

If you get a diagnosis after your course has started, you can still apply for DSA. You should apply as soon as you’re able to.

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