DSA guide 2026/27
A clear guide to DSA for disabled and neurodivergent students.
Disabled Students’ Allowance, often called DSA, can help pay for extra study-related support if you have a disability, mental health condition, long-term illness or learning difference.
This guide explains what DSA is, who may be eligible, what it can fund and how to move through the application process.
If you already have your DSA entitlement letter and want to arrange support, visit our DSA Support Guides or our Support for Students page.
Disabled Students’ Allowance is support to cover study-related costs you have because of a mental health problem, long-term illness or disability. It can be paid alongside other student finance.
The type of support and how much you get depends on your individual needs, not your household income, and DSA does not need to be repaid.
DSA can help with study-related support that is needed because of your disability or access needs.
This might include a computer if you are assessed as needing one because of your disability, or other equipment that supports your studies. If you are assessed as needing a new computer, you will usually need to pay the first £200 yourself.
This may include support such as a British Sign Language interpreter, specialist note taker, Specialist Mentor, Specialist Study Skills tutor or other approved non-medical helper support, depending on your needs.
You may be recommended software, apps or digital tools to support reading, writing, planning, note-taking, focus, revision or communication. After your assessment, you may also be contacted to arrange any assistive technology training you need.
DSA may help with extra travel costs to and from your course or placement if your disability stops you from using public transport.
This may include disability-related study costs such as additional printing or other approved support. DSA does not cover costs that any student might have or disability-related costs you would have if you were not attending a course.
For undergraduate and postgraduate students, GOV.UK currently states that students can get up to £27,783 for support for the 2026 to 2027 academic year and the 2025 to 2026 academic year.
Current GOV.UK figure
£27,783
Maximum support figure currently stated for undergraduate and postgraduate students.
The amount you receive depends on your individual needs, not your household income.
Funding rules can change, and arrangements may differ across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Simple process
You do not have to hold the whole process in your head. Start with the step you are on now.
You may be eligible if you have a disability, mental health condition, long-term illness or learning difference that affects your studies.
You will usually need evidence of your disability or condition. This might include a diagnostic report, medical letter or other evidence depending on your needs and funding body.
You apply through the relevant student finance route. Some students apply as part of their student finance application, while others apply separately.
If your application is approved, you will receive a letter explaining the next step.
The needs assessment is an informal meeting to understand how your disability affects your study and what support may help. It is not a test. It can be in person or remote.
After the assessment, you will receive a report with recommendations and an entitlement letter explaining what support you can get.
Your entitlement letter will explain what happens next. Some suppliers may contact you directly, while in other cases you may need to contact suppliers yourself.
If your needs, course or circumstances change, speak to your funding body, needs assessment centre or university disability team about what to do next.
Needs assessment
A conversation, not an exam.
A needs assessment is a conversation about your course, your disability and the barriers you experience when studying.
It is not an exam. You do not need to prove you are “struggling enough”. The purpose is to understand what support would help you study more effectively.
After your assessment, your assessor will write a report with recommendations. You will then receive an entitlement letter explaining what support has been approved.
Before your assessment, it can help to make a few notes. You do not need perfect answers. The assessment is there to help identify support.
For example: reading, writing, lectures, deadlines, organisation, focus, revision, communication or travel.
This might include software, routines, support from tutors, study strategies, quiet spaces, mentoring or adjustments.
Think about essays, exams, placements, presentations, group work, labs, studios, reading lists or long days on campus.
You can ask about assistive technology, study skills, mentoring, travel support, equipment or other study-related needs.
These are common worries. You can take one step at a time.
Break it into one step at a time. Start with eligibility and evidence, then move to the application. You can also ask your university disability team for guidance.
You do not need to know all the answers before your needs assessment. Focus on explaining what you find difficult when studying.
That is common. Assistive Technology Training can help you use your tools with real study tasks such as reading, writing, planning, revision and note-taking.
Apply as early as you can and keep checking what stage your application has reached. If your support has been approved, arrange sessions as soon as possible.
Your entitlement letter explains what support has been approved and whether you need to contact suppliers yourself. If you are unsure, we can help you understand the next step.
Online one-to-one support for disabled and neurodivergent students.
Learn how to use your recommended software, apps and digital tools for reading, writing, planning, note-taking, focus and revision.
Assistive Technology TrainingBuild strategies for note-taking, academic writing, time management, active reading, revision, critical thinking and independent study.
Specialist Study Skills SupportSupport with study-related anxiety, stress, motivation, routines, confidence, organisation and wellbeing. Mentoring is not counselling.
Specialist MentoringPlain-language guides on DSA needs assessments, assistive technology training, after-report next steps and neurodivergent study support.
DSA Support GuidesA simple overview of the student support available through Calling All Minds.
Support for StudentsFunding rules can change, so it is best to check official guidance before applying.
You may also want to check your university’s disability, inclusion or student support pages.
If you are unsure what has been approved or what to do next, contact us and we can help you understand the next step.
Clear answers about DSA, eligibility, needs assessments, funding and arranging support.
Disabled Students’ Allowance is support to cover study-related costs you have because of a mental health problem, long-term illness or disability. It does not need to be repaid.
You may be able to apply if you are a higher education student with a disability, mental health condition, long-term illness or learning difference that affects your studies.
No. The type of support and how much you get depends on your individual needs, not your household income.
No. DSA does not need to be repaid.
GOV.UK currently states that undergraduate and postgraduate students can get up to £27,783 for support for the 2026 to 2027 academic year. The amount you receive depends on your assessed needs.
DSA can help pay for specialist equipment, non-medical helpers, disability-related travel and other disability-related study support. It does not cover costs that any student might have.
Yes. DSA may fund specialist equipment, software and other study-related technology if it is recommended through your assessment. You may also be offered assistive technology training.
If you are assessed as needing a new computer, you will usually need to pay the first £200 yourself.
A needs assessment is an informal meeting to determine what support you can get for your studies. It can be in person or remote and is not a test.
After your assessment, you will receive a report with recommendations and an entitlement letter explaining what support you can get. Your entitlement letter will explain whether suppliers will contact you or whether you need to contact them yourself.
Calling All Minds provides online Assistive Technology Training, Specialist Study Skills Support and Specialist Mentoring for disabled and neurodivergent students. Support may be funded through DSA, arranged through your university or accessed through another support route.
Yes. If you are unsure what has been approved or what to do next, contact us and we can help you understand the next step.