Government and public statistics
Disabled Students' Allowance
GOV.UK, 2026
Read the originalRead on October 16, 2026
- What it is
- The UK government's guide to Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA), support for higher education students in England with a disability, long-term illness, mental health condition or specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia. It covers what DSA pays for, the maximum amount, the needs assessment and how to apply.
- How much weight it carries
- Official government service page, kept current. It covers students funded by Student Finance England; Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland run their own versions with different amounts.
Facts taken from this source
- GOV.UK says that after a Disabled Students' Allowance assessment, the supplier discusses your equipment and arranges any assistive technology training you need.
“contact you to discuss your equipment and arrange any assistive technology training you need” (Your needs assessment)
- GOV.UK says undergraduate and postgraduate students can get up to 27,783 pounds per year in Disabled Students' Allowance.
“Undergraduate and postgraduate students can get up to £27,783 per year for support.” (What you'll get)
- When a Disabled Students' Allowance student is assessed as needing a new computer, the student pays the first £200 of its cost.
“When buying a new computer, you'll need to pay the first £200.” (Section: Buying a new computer)
- Disabled Students' Allowance depends on a student's individual needs, not household income, and does not have to be paid back.
“The type of support and how much you get depends on your individual needs - not your household income. You do not need to pay back DSA” (Overview)
- GOV.UK says Disabled Students' Allowance can help with the costs of specialist equipment, for example a computer, if a student needs one because of a disability.
“specialist equipment, for example a computer if you need one because of your disability” (What DSA can pay for)
- Disabled Students' Allowance will not reimburse equipment bought before the needs assessment.
“Do not buy any equipment until you’ve been assessed - you will not be reimbursed for it.” (What you'll get, How DSA is paid steps)
- Disabled Students' Allowance can help with the cost of specialist equipment, for example a computer if the student needs one because of their disability.
“specialist equipment, for example a computer if you need one because of your disability” (What DSA can pay for)
- After a Disabled Students' Allowance needs assessment, the assessment provider arranges any assistive technology training the student needs.
“Study Tech or Capita will then contact you to discuss your equipment and arrange any assistive technology training you need.” (What you'll get, How DSA is paid steps)