You can apply for the DSA either online or via post, and you can either apply at the same time as you apply for student finance or separately. Depending on where you live, you might need to fill out a different application form if you wish to only receive the DSA, and you can find links to all the relevant forms in the Resources and Forms section below.

You don’t need to wait until you have a confirmed place or until you start your course to apply. You can apply at any time to secure your support for the start of term.

However, we recommend applying at the same time as student finance, as this will not only save you time but also reduce the amount of paperwork you need to do. That way, you can spend the start of term getting settled, meeting new people, and not worrying about setting up your DSA.

Disability Services at your university will know about your application but they will keep the information you provide as part of your DSA application fully confidential, and will not share any of the information you provide in your application with other university staff or students.

In your DSA application you will be asked to provide:

• Information about you! E.g. your name, address, bank details, and proof of your UK status.

• Information about your course. E.g. Where you are studying, the university/college address, the name of your course, and how long you’re studying for.

• A copy of your Evidence to support your application (this might be a diagnostic report or medical evidence based on your disability - check out our video on evidence if you’re unsure!)

Your application will be under review - this process can take up to 14 weeks, but if you do have any questions, reach out to your funding body or student services team for help.

If your application is approved, you will be sent a document via email, more commonly known as a DSA 1 letter. This will acknowledge that you are eligible to receive the DSA, and will detail the next steps you need to take: Booking Your Needs Assessment.

Student Finance England

Download Application Form

Alternate Format Email: brailleandlargefonts@slc.co.uk

Postal Address: Student Finance England, PO Box 210, Darlington, DL1 9HJ

Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS)

Download Application Form

Download DSA Only Application Form

Alternate Format Email: saas_4@gov.scot

Postal Address: Not currently accepting postal applications due to COVID-19. Please send all applications and evidence via email.

Student Finance Wales (SFW)

Download Application Form

Alternate Format Email: brailleandlargefonts@slc.co.uk

Student Finance Northern Ireland (SFNI)

Download Application Form

Download DSA Only Application Form

Alternate Format Email: brailleandlargefonts@slc.co.uk

Postal Address: Return your application to your local SFNI Office, find their addresses here.

Speak to Disability Services

If you are applying for the DSA while you’re at college or uni, it’s a good idea to let your disability services know as soon as possible, as not only can they offer you 1-to-1 guidance and support with your application, there are some sections of the application form they will need to fill in.

• Did you know that you can request your DSA application form in braille, large print, and audio formats? Find your funding bodies’ email address below to request your DSA application form in a format suitable for your individual needs.

• When sending copies for your evidence, make sure to only send a photocopy of any letters or reports, and keep the original for yourself. If you don’t have a scanner at home, you can use your mobile phone to scan the document or ask your disability advisor to help.

• You can also ask for help with your application from a friend or a family member.