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What is Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)?
Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) is a support grant to help cover costs you may incur to ensure you have the right support for your disability or long-term health condition during your studies. The grant is available to undergraduate and postgraduate students who are UK residents and is awarded differently depending on your course and other funding you may receive.
On this page we will introduce some basic information such as eligibility, what areas the DSA covers, and how the Disability team supports your application.
What kind of support can I get with a DSA?
DSA can pay for disability-related support, including:
- Assistive technology and specialist equipment, such as a laptop, note-taking software or specialist furniture.
- Human support (non-medical helpers), such as sign language interpreters, study skills tutors, mentoring, and Assistive Technology training.
- Taxis to get to and from campus if you experience difficulty travelling on public transport.
- Other disability related support such as enhanced printing allowance.
Extensive list of possible support.
How much could I receive and how is it paid?
- Student Finance adjust the amount of DSA funding every academic year.
- Money is usually paid directly to the organisation providing the service or equipment.
- You’ll find out how your support will be paid after your needs assessment.
Find out how much funding you may be entitled to.
- £200 contribution towards your DSA laptop
UCL can offer some funding towards the £200 contribution which students must make towards the cost of their DSA funded laptop. This funding is offered as a reimbursement, so you must pay upfront and take delivery of the equipment before you can make your claim.
If you meet the following criteria, you are eligible to apply for this award:
- Be classed as a Home (UK) student
- Currently enrolled at UCL under an undergraduate course
- Have a household income of less than £42,875 per year (as assessed by Student Finance England.
To find out more or apply for the reimbursement, contact us via askUCL.
For postgraduate students, please refer to UCL Financial Assistance Fund for financial aids on this £200 DSA laptop contribution.
Applying for DSA
Step 1: Check your eligibility
Eligibility depends on who you are applying for DSA with.
- DSA – Student Finance England.*
- DSA – Student Finance Wales.*
- DSA – Students Awards Agency for Scotland.
- DSA – Student Finance Northern Ireland.
- DSA – Research Councils.
- DSA – NHS.
- Fund for Students with Disabilities – Ireland.
*Students applying for SF England or Wales must provide evidence that shows you meet the Equality Act (2010) definition of a disabled person.
Depending on any other funding you receive, you may not be eligible for DSA or at all.
Specific Learning Differences (SpLDs)
The JCQ Form 8 is not accepted as evidence and you will need to obtain a full diagnostic assessment or an academic screening via UCL.
Find out more about SpLD screenings at UCL.
Step 2: Fill in the application form
You can apply for DSA via the online form. The fastest way is to apply online.
Different ways to apply for DSA.
Step 3: Get university declaration confirming your studies
The DSA team will request you receive confirmation from UCL regarding your studies.
For students applying for DSA England*, after submitting your application form to Student Finance, notify us via askUCL (current student) or via email (applicants/in-coming students) telling us your:
- DSA customer reference number (CRN);
- Your course title and level (undergraduate or postgraduate);
- If you're studying full-time or part-time;
- Course start and end dates.
We will then email the DSA team to confirm your current/anticipated enrolment at UCL. You will be copied in. We have an agreement to email these confirmations to the DSA team and will not stamp your application.
*DSA England only. For DSA Wales and SAAS, the process is different, email us as usual and we will continue with you from there.
Step 4: Your application is processed
You’ll receive confirmation from the funding body of whether your application is successful within 6 weeks, you can view updated timescales on the SFE webpage. Then, it can take up to 14 weeks to get your DSA support in place as this is done separately.
If you're not eligible for DSA
If you are still unsure about your eligibility or have any other questions regarding DSA, please book a same day appointment and speak to one of our advisers.
Find out more about alternative funding options available to disabled students.