Pursuing higher education is a significant milestone for many people, but for disabled students, the journey can be uniquely challenging. From concerns around accessible living arrangements to needing specialist equipment, there are many reasons a disabled student may have additional needs throughout their time in school and university.

Fortunately, there are several ways to access help and resources to make achieving your full potential in higher education possible. Here, we take a look at what financial aid is available for disabled students in the UK.

Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)
This is one of the main ways that disabled students can access financial support in the UK. The DSA is a non-repayable grant that helps to cover the extra costs that students incur as a result of their disability, long-term health condition or learning difficulties. It can help pay for equipment, non-medical helpers, travel costs or other disability-related costs.

They are available to both undergraduate and postgraduate students, and eligibility is determined based on individual needs rather than household income. You can apply for the DSA through student finance. You may need to provide evidence of your diagnosis from a licensed professional such as a doctor or specialist.

Support from your university
Sometimes, specific universities in the UK will offer additional financial support for disabled students. This could be via targeted bursaries or scholarships, or by providing funds to cover specific needs such as accommodation adjustments, assistive technology or personal support workers.

Most universities will have disability services available that provide personalised support to students, from adjusting exam conditions to offering counselling and academic support. In addition to the DSA, there are some government and charitable grants to help alleviate the financial burden of studying with a disability.

Employment support
Many students work part-time to top up their funds whilst in university, and disabled students shouldn’t miss out on this important part of becoming an independent adult. There are programs to help disabled students find suitable work, and things employers should do to make it more manageable for you.

Employers are required by law to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate disabled employees, and no workplace is allowed to reject your application due to your disability – this is discrimination. Within reason, employers should provide flexible working hours, modified equipment or support to help make the role achievable.

University career centres should have advisors who can help you find work, internships or graduate employment options that match your interests and accommodate your needs.

Explore your options
Navigating higher education as a disabled student can be more difficult in lots of ways, but there is a robust system of support in place to help. From DSAs to specific funds and grants given by universities, a variety of financial resources are available to ensure disabled students can thrive academically. If you’re looking to pursue higher education and have a disability, be sure to explore these options thoroughly to help open the doors to a successful future.