UK Student Finance
An A-Z of Student Finance

Disabled Students' Allowances

Disabled Students’ Allowances provide extra financial help if you have a disability or a specific learning difficulty like dyslexia. They are paid on top of the standard student finance package and don’t have to be repaid.

What are Disabled Students' Allowances?

Disabled Students’ Allowances are grants to help meet the extra costs of studying that students face as a direct result of a disability or specific learning difficulty. They are designed to help disabled students study on an equal basis with other students.

The allowances provide help for full-time, part-time and postgraduate students. The amount you can get does not depend on your household income. You do not have to repay this help.

Disabled Students’ Allowances are paid on top of the standard student finance package.

How Much Can You Claim?

This will depend on your particular circumstances. If you are a part-time student, the intensity of your course will also affect how much you can receive.

When you apply, your local authority will ask you to have an assessment to establish what specific help you need to study on your course.
 

Full-time and part-time higher education students

The following tables show the maximum amounts available to full-time and part-time higher education students (including distance learners and relevant OU students).

The maximum amounts available in 2007/2008 are:

The maximum amounts available in 2006/2007 are:

You can also claim ‘reasonable spending’ on extra travel costs for both academic years.

Postgraduate higher education students

Postgraduate students (including distance learners and relevant OU students) can apply for a single allowance to cover all costs. The maximum amounts are:

2007/2008: £5,915 for the year

2006/2007: £5,780 for the year

How are they Paid?

Student Finance Direct will pay the money into your account as needed, or directly to the supplier of services (for example your university, college or equipment supplier).

Do they Impact other Benefits?

Jobcentre Plus or HM Revenue & Customs (formerly the Inland Revenue) will not count Disabled Students’ Allowances when working out your entitlement to benefits or tax credits.

What if your Circumstances Change?

If during your course your disability becomes more severe, you can apply to have another assessment to identify any further help you might need. Contact your local authority or the Open University.

If you want to transfer to another course, you will still be entitled to receive Disabled Students’ Allowances. However, if you need different equipment and have already used up your maximum equipment allowance, you won’t be able to receive any more. If you’ve not used the maximum, the remainder will be available to you.

Need More Information?

You can get more information about Disabled Students’ Allowances from the booklet, ‘Bridging the Gap’. You can ask your local authority to send you one.
 

 

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