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Thursday, 4 December 2008

Disabled people

Disabled People

Disabled Students' Allowances

Disabled Students' Allowances provide extra financial help if you have an impairment, health condition (including mental health conditions) 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.

Who Disabled Students' Allowances are aimed at

Disabled Students' Allowances are grants to help meet the extra course costs students can face as a direct result of a disability or specific learning difficulty. They are aimed at helping disabled people to study on an equal basis with other students.

Eligible full-time, part-time and postgraduate students can apply for Disabled Students' Allowances.

The amount you get doesn't depend on your household income.  Disabled Students' Allowances are paid on top of the standard student finance package, and don't have to be paid back.

What they can be used for

Disabled Students' Allowances can help with the cost of:

  • specialist equipment you need for studying - for example, computer software
  • a non-medical helper, such as a note-taker or reader
  • extra travel costs you have to pay because of your disability
  • other costs - for example, tapes or Braille paper

Eligibility

You can apply if you are doing:

  • a full-time course that lasts at least one year (including a distance-learning course)
  • a part-time course that lasts at least one year and doesn't take more than twice as long to complete as an equivalent full-time course (this can include an Open University or other distance-learning course)

To apply for financial help through Disabled Students' Allowances, both you and your course must be eligible. It's worth checking this before you make your application.

Getting proof of your disability or specific learning difficulty

To apply, you'll have to show evidence of your disability.

If you have an impairment or a medical condition - this includes long-term illnesses and mental health conditions - you will need to provide medical proof of this, such as a letter from an appropriate medical professional.

If you have a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia, you must provide evidence in the form of a 'diagnostic assessment' from a psychologist or suitably qualified specialist teacher. If you've had a diagnostic assessment in the past, it may need to be updated.

You'll have to meet the cost of any tests to establish your eligibility for Disabled Students' Allowances. If you need a test but cannot afford to pay for it, you may be able to get financial help through the Access to Learning Fund.

Who doesn't qualify

If you are eligible for a bursary from the NHS, you do not qualify for Disabled Students' Allowances from Student Finance England or your local authority, but you can apply for equivalent help through the NHS bursary scheme.

You also don't qualify for Disabled Students' Allowances from your local authority if you're a postgraduate student getting:

  • a research council bursary or award
  • a social work bursary from the NHS Business Services Authority that includes equivalent support
  • a bursary or award from your college or university that includes equivalent support

You should contact the provider of your bursary or award for advice on any extra support you may be entitled to because of a disability.

How much you can get

This is based on your individual needs, but there are maximums for the different allowances.

How to apply

Follow the link below for details on how full-time, part-time and postgraduate students can apply. You'll also find information on who to approach if your application is turned down and you want to appeal.

More information

You can get more information about Disabled Students' Allowances from the booklet, 'Bridging the Gap'. You can download a copy from this site, or ask your local authority to send you one.

Other forms of student finance

Disabled Students' Allowances are paid on top of the standard package of financial help available to students.

See 'Student finance' to find out about other forms of help for higher education students, including Student Loans, grants and bursaries.

If you're a postgraduate student, see 'Financing your postgraduate course'.

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