Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)

The DSA is a supplementary allowance available to students who incur additional expenditure because of their disability while undertaking a full-time higher education course. From Academic Year 2000/2001, all disabled students undertaking a part-time course, which is at least 50% of a full-time equivalent higher education course, are also eligible for the DSA. The DSA is not means-tested. Further details of the eligibility requirements for Scottish students are available on the Students Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) website.

Applications for the DSA must be sent to the student's funding authority. Scottish students should use the yellow DSA application form provided by the SAAS. Non-Scottish students should contact their Local Education Authority/other funding body for advice on their DSA application process and eligibility requirements. All applications for the DSA must be endorsed by a member of staff at the student's institution. They must also include recent medical evidence (e.g. a doctor's letter) explaining the nature and extent of the student's disability. For dyslexic students, an up-to-date (no more than 3 years old) assessment by a Chartered Psychologist is usually required.