The evidence you’ll need to provide will depend on the mental health condition, disability or SpLD that you have.

If you’re applying for DSA with a Specific Learning Difference (SpLD) such as dyslexia or ADHD you will need to provide a diagnostic report from a qualified psychologist or specialist teacher.

If you are applying for DSA with a mental health condition, physical disability, or a long-term health condition you will need a medical professional (your GP) to complete a DSA Evidence Form. If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) you can request an accessible format of the DSA Evidence Form.

In order to receive DSA, you need an official diagnosis. There are no restrictions on when you received your diagnosis.

If you’re applying for DSA with a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD) such as dyslexia or ADHD you will need to provide a diagnostic report from a qualified psychologist or specialist teacher.

You might have had an assessment such as this in high school. These assessments don’t have an expiration date, as long as the test is correct and reflects what DSA is looking for. If you are unsure whether the assessments that you have completed in the past are correct or if they’re enough - send it anyway, your funding body will let you know if anything is missing.

You can always ask your assessor which specific test is missing for your application and complete that one test as opposed to going through the full assessment process again.

If you have never completed an assessment such as this, you will need to book an appointment through your assessment centre, university or private practice. Whichever way you choose to move forward, you should still speak to a disability or student advisor at your university. They might offer support with assessment cost - whether it’s a partial contribution or even full coverage of the assessment price.

There are also grants available to help you afford the cost of your assessment, you can find more information on these in our resources below.

Support Available

• Speak to your university or college disability services and ask if they can cover the cost or make a contribution towards your diagnostic assessment

• Ask your student services if you could be eligible for the Student Hardship fund

• Reach out to charities and other organisations such as the British Dyslexia Association, who can advise on different diagnostic paths

If you are applying for DSA with a mental health condition, physical disability, or a long-term health condition you will need a medical professional (your GP) to complete a DSA Evidence Form for you.

Book an appointment with your doctor, explain to them that you are looking to apply for Disabled Students Allowance and they should be able to support you with the evidence that you need!

Depending on where you live, you might have to pay for a doctors note, but this is usually a small amount.

Funding Body Medical Evidence Forms

Click the links below to download your funding body’s DSA Evidence Form.

• Student Finance England

• Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS)

• Student Finance Wales

• Student Finance Northern Ireland

Find Your GP

Unsure who your GP is or need to register with a new practice after moving to uni? Use the links below to find your local practice.

• NHS England

• NHS Scotland

• NHS Wales

• NHS Northern Ireland

Hints and Tips

• A lot of new conditions and disabilities were added to the DSA, such as long covid, depression and anxiety so make sure to check out our eligibility checker to help you understand if you’re eligible to receive DSA.

• During this stage try and communicate with your uni or college as much as you can. They are familiar with the DSA and will be able to help you through the process.