Having a disability or mental health condition might mean incurring additional costs (e.g. access to specialist equipment) when accessing higher education. But don’t worry, there is financial support available.
The DSA scheme aims to ensure everyone has the support and adjustments they need to succeed during their studies.
We’ve worked with Diversity and Ability to create a comprehensive guide to all you need to know about DSA eligibility, applying, and the support you can get.
In addition to student finance options and the DSA, there may be other sources of financial support available.
Check whether there is any additional funding available from your university or college. Some offer bursaries, grants and scholarships that don’t have to be repaid. These might be specifically for disabled students or completely unrelated, such as funds to help with general living and study expenses, to help you achieve a particular goal, or participate in certain events and activities. They might be related to your course or extracurricular activity, such as music or sport – especially if you represent the uni. You may need to meet eligibility criteria or complete an application, so check the details and deadlines.
You may wish to visit an open day or other event, or be asked to attend an interview or audition. If you're struggling to meet the cost of travel, you might be able to get help from the university through their widening participation team. Speak to the student support team in advance to see what’s available.
Organisations that support and promote the rights of disabled people may be able to offer financial help (or free access to products and services you would usually pay for) to those who wish to access higher education.
You may be familiar with organisations specifically linked to your own experience, but it’s worth doing some research. Here are some organisations to try:
Don’t forget to check any application deadlines, eligibility criteria, and conditions. For example, you may have to outline how you intend to use the funds or provide evidence of the costs involved.
Some employers and professional bodies offer funding to students studying certain courses or within a particular field. To help nurture young talent and promote diversity within their field or industry, there may also be specific support available to disabled students.
Ask your course tutor about professional bodies associated with your course, and if they're aware of any funding or support in this field of study.
Students in Scotland may be eligible for Independent Living Transition Fund, which aims to help young disabled people aged 16-25 with the transition after leaving school or children’s services to be independent and engaged with their community.
The Special Support Loan offers extra support to cover general study costs, travel costs, and childcare costs, and you apply via SAAS alongside your student support. Full-time students entitled to benefits may access this additional support without a reduction to their benefit entitlement – this includes disabled students who are eligible for Attendance Allowance (AA), Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP), and who have limited capability for work.
LEAD Scotland offers a guide to educational grants for disabled learners, including charitable trusts across Scotland.
Personal care is the practical help and support you need for independent living, and can include support with cooking, cleaning, personal hygiene, correspondence, shopping, and transport. It’s important to think about this sooner rather than later because organising personal care can be complex. If you require a care assessment or if you’ve never had to consider personal care before, it might be complex and take time to arrange.
In the first instance, it’s a good idea to speak to your local authority about your higher education plans and how you can transfer your existing care package if you plan to move away. A care assessment will establish what help you can receive, and some services may be chargeable.
You may be entitled to the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) which can help with extra living costs if you have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability and experience barriers with certain everyday tasks or getting around.
The disability adviser or support team at your university or college may also be able to help you organise personal care support and advise on access to local services. If your university participates in the Volunteering Matters scheme (or similar projects), you may be able to use this to access support from the local community.
Find out more about personal care from Disability Rights UK.
