Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) helps cover some of the extra study-related costs an individual may incur due to a physical or mental health condition, or learning difference. Students in receipt of DSA do not have to pay anything back and they can keep any specialist equipment.

DSA is a support package worth a maximum of £26,948 (excluding travel) available to undergraduate and postgraduate students studying on a full-time or part-time course during 2024-25 academic year. It is not dependant on the individual’s household income – what students can get is unique to their needs. 

It is a bespoke package of support, with elements provided by the HE and/or Student Loans Company that is pulled together to make sure students can get the most out of their time at HE – both in the classroom and socially. 

A Department for Education study found that only 40% of disabled students knew about DSA before starting their course.