Disabled students
You may be entitled to the following funding.
Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)
If you incur additional course-related costs as a consequence of a disability, mental health difficulty (such as depression or anxiety) or specific learning difficulty (such as dyslexia), you can apply for the Disabled Students' Allowance. This is a needs-based allowance and is available for specialist equipment, non-medical personal helpers and / or additional travel costs, subject to a needs assessment.
The disabled students' allowance is not treated as income and will therefore not affect your entitlement to benefits.
You can download the following documents for full information:
- Disabled Students Allowances
- Bridging the Gap: A Guide to the Disabled Students Allowances 2012 / 13
You can also visit Directgov and the disability support page for more information.
Special support grant
You may get the Special Support Grant instead of the Maintenance Grant if you get or qualify for Income Support or Housing Benefit. The amount you get through the Special Support Grant is that same that is available through the Maintenance Grant but the Special Support Grant doesn't count as income when calculating income-related benefits.
See the Directgov website for details.
Am I entitled to benefits?
Your benefit entitlement may change when you become a full-time student. This is because your student funding may be regarded as income when your benefits are being calculated. See the Guide to Funding for Students with Disabilities for details.
The Access to Learning Fund and Discretionary Hardship Fund
You can apply to the Access to Learning Fund if you:
- have additional financial needs
- are fully enrolled
- have children and / or are a disabled student with exceptionally high course-related expenditure.
In addition, the University has a discretionary hardship fund, primarily to assist students who are unable to work during the summer vacation period (perhaps for reasons relating to disability, mental health difficulties or family commitments).
You can collect an application form from:
- City site Student Services Centre, Newton building
- Clifton campus Student Services Centre
- Brackenhurst campus Student Services Centre.
Further information
You can contact us on +44 (0)115 848 2494 or by email if you need more information.
