Disabled Student Allowance

Student support

Disabled Students Allowances (DSAs) are available to full-time and part time undergraduates, and to postgraduates. They are non-repayable grants that cover the additional costs students incur because of their disability.

For undergraduates, there are four allowances:

1. the specialist equipment allowance which covers the whole course. The allowance for 2004/05 is worth up to £4,565;
2. the non-medical helpers allowance, for personal support such as sign language interpreters or note-takers, worth up to £11,550 a year, or up to £8,670 for part-time students;
3. the general DSA, available to top up other allowances or to buy items such as Braille paper, of up to £1,525 a year, or up to £1,140 a year for part-time students;
4. a travel allowance to help with additional travel costs that students have to pay as a result of their disability.

For full-time and part-time postgraduates, a single allowance worth up to £5,500 a year is available. Students can apply for the allowances from their LEA. Bridging the Gap, a booklet giving further information about DSAs, can be obtained by ringing the free Department for Education and Skills (DfES) helpline on 0800 731 9133 (telephone) or 0800 328 8988 (text phone). It is also available on the DfES Website at www.dfes.gov.uk/studentsupport/formsandguides/ The booklet is also available in Braille and audio cassette formats.