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Financial help for disabled students

Sources of extra financial help for disabled students include types of student finance and benefits. These are paid on top of the standard student finance package and include:

Disabled Students' Allowances

Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs) are grants to help with the extra costs a student may face because of a disability. Conditions covered include long-term illnesses, mental health conditions or specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia.

If you qualify for DSAs, they’re paid on top of any standard student finance you get. You can apply to Student Finance England for DSAs when you apply for student finance. The amount you can get isn't affected by your household income, and the allowances don't have to be paid back.

To find out about qualifying and applying for DSAs see the link 'Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs)'.

Adult Dependants’ Grant

If you apply for Disabled Students’ Allowances or any other student finance and your partner is also studying, they won’t be able to get Adult Dependants’ Grant.

• Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs)

Access to Learning Fund

If you're in financial difficulty, you may be able to claim extra financial help through the Access to Learning Fund.

You need to apply for the Access to Learning fund through your university or college.

• Access to Learning Fund (general education and learning section)

Other forms of student finance

Financial help aimed at disabled students is paid on top of the standard student finance package.

See 'Student finance' to find out what other types of help you could get as a student – including information on student loans, grants and bursaries.

• Student finance (general education and learning section)

Disability Living Allowance

You may be able to claim Disability Living Allowance as well as Disabled Students' Allowances and other forms of student finance.

You need to claim Disability Living Allowance from the Disability and Carers Service.

• Disability Living Allowance

Employment and Support Allowance and Incapacity Benefit

Employment and Support Allowance and Incapacity Benefit are benefits for people with an illness or disability that affects their ability to work. You need to apply for these benefits through Jobcentre Plus.

If you already claim one of these benefits, you may be able to carry on receiving it as a student.

You can get more information about claiming benefits while studying from Disability Rights UK.

• Disability Rights UK Opens new window

• Employment and Support Allowance

Useful contacts

• Education and learning contacts for disabled people

• Student finance contacts

• Accessible technology contacts