Getting disabled students prepared for university or college

Applying for student finance and Disabled Students’ Allowance

The quickest and easiest way to apply for Disabled 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, 6.98 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.

TheIt applicationcan fortake DSAup isto reviewed100 separatelydays fromfor yourus mainto studentget financeyour applicationDSA andsupport canin takeplace. upIf toyour 14course weeksstarts toin approve.September, Apply today to make sure you should have everythingyour application in placeby for the startbeginning of your course.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.

After you’ve applied and your application has been approved, we’ll send you a letter with details of your supplier to arrange your needs assessment. If you give permission, we’ll pass your details directly to the supplier who’ll be in touch to arrange this.

You may still have to attend a needs assessment even if you’ve recently had a medical assessment to get your diagnostic report, as these are different.

What to expect from your ‘needs assessment’

Find out what you can expect from your needs assessment by checking our dedicated page.