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Students with a disability are entitled to apply for the same student loans as all other students, but there is also extra funding available ...
Disabled Students Allowances (DSAs)
Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs) for students with a disability, mental health condition or specific learning difficulty. These discretionary grants are not means-tested. and can be used to pay for helpers, equipment and other disability support. Part-time students can apply for DSAs in the same way as full-time students.
They can be used for:
- non-medical helpers (e.g. sign language interpreters and note takers and other helpers up to £20,000 per year)
- specialist equipment to assist you to get through the course (up to £5030 for the whole course)
- general disabled student allowances (e.g. Braille, tapes etc. up to £1680 per year).
Contact your local authority to find out what kind of support they can offer and what information they will require to assess your needs. You can have the money paid directly to you to manage yourself, or to the service or equipment supplier. In either case, you will have to provide invoices and receipts to show how the money is used.
For more information about DSAs have a look at the Directgov website, Disabled People section.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/
Access funds
Full-time students, and some part-time students, who have severe financial difficulty during their study may be eligible for these funds. The university allocates these government funds, usually as a grant to help with living and course-related expenses, and sometimes for travel or childcare costs. They can also be used to cover extra costs you have because of your disability, which are not covered by DSAs. There is no guarantee that you will get a grant, but if you are struggling financially and can show proof, you may be awarded something and the money does not have to be repaid.
Incapacity Benefit
You may be able to get Incapacity Benefit or Severe Disablement Allowance (SDA) while you are studying, although the Benefits Agency may consider that if you can study then you may not be 'incapable of work'. Open University study should not affect this benefit.
If you currently receive any benefits, you will need to tell the Benefits Agency if you start to study, as this is seen as a 'change of circumstance'.
Travel allowance
The student loan includes money for travel expenses to and from study. You can claim a grant for extra travel costs caused by your disability.
Dependants' Allowance
You may be eligible for this allowance if you have dependants: perhaps your children, spouse or other adults depend on you financially. Different rates of payment depend on your income and circumstances.
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