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The Open University

Disabled Students' Allowance

DSAs can help pay for the extra costs of studying arising from a disability, health condition, mental health difficulty or specific learning difficulty (such as dyslexia). They are not based on financial circumstances and there is no age limit for eligibility. Part-time OU students are eligible for DSAs.

Students can apply for the DSA once they are registered on a course. We encourage you to apply at the earliest opportunity, as it can take up to three months from application to delivery of equipment or services.

DSAs can help pay for the costs of services and equipment to assist you in your studies. These might include

  • a non-medical helper such as a sign language interpreter
  • items of specialist equipment
  • other additional study-related costs you might incur because of your disability.

If you are DSA eligible the University will only provide study support that cannot be provided by a DSA.

Apply online, or download a DSA application form (below).

Disabled Students' Allowance - are you eligible?

Take part in the Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) eligibility quiz to find out if you are eligible for funding. It should take you less than three minutes to complete.

You will need to provide written evidence to support your application.

We advise that you apply as early as possible for a DSA in order to ensure that an award is made and funding allocated in good time for the provision of any support approved for your course.

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