It’s common for many students to have to leave their education as a result of their disability. However, there are many benefits available to help such students. One of them is the Disabled Students’ Allowance.
This benefit program is only available to students who are residents of England or Wales, with similar programs being available in other areas of the UK. Apart from this, you must meet the medical criteria of this program to receive benefits. Students based in the US are not eligible for this program.
Continue reading for more information on Disabled Students’ Allowance.
Disabled Students’ Allowance Overview
Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs) are funds granted to help cover any supplementary educational expenses that a student faces as a direct result of their disability or special learning disability.
They are meant to provide students with disabilities with the same opportunities to learn as their non-disabled peers. Students attending school, either full- or part-time, as well as postgraduate students, are all eligible for assistance.
DSAs are paid in addition to the usual student financing package and are not based on a recipient’s financial need in any way. This program is for students in England and Wales; Scotland and Northern Ireland have equivalent programs.
The only acceptable expenses are those directly associated with the course work or supporting the progress of the education. The equipment allowance is used to purchase any necessary assistive technology (such as computing software and hardware, recording devices, and ergonomic equipment) in order to fully participate in the course and the university.
The term “non-medical assistance” refers to any human support other than medical care, such as note-takers or the employment of sign language interpreters.
General allowances are often used to pay for miscellaneous expenses. Examples include the cost of a monthly internet service, the purchase of books, the cost of printer supplies like ink and paper, and the cost of photocopying or coloring pages.
Can I Apply for a Disabled Students’ Allowance?
Since the Disabled Students’ Allowance is a UK government benefit, you can only apply if you live in the UK and have a disability that interferes with your ability to study, such as one of the following:
- learning disorder, like dyslexia or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- mental disorder, such as generalized anxiety or major depression
- physical impairment, such as the need for crutches, a wheelchair, or a specially designed keyboard
- vision impairment, deafness, or other forms of auditory impairment
- long-term medical conditions, such as cancer, heart disease, or HIV/AIDS
In addition to these criteria, you must also:
- be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program (including Open University or remote study)
- be eligible for student financial assistance
- taking a course that will take at least a year to complete
Funding Options for Disabled College Students in the US
Financial aid is a common concern for college students in the US, and fortunately, there are numerous tools available to help. The financial assistance office at the student’s intended institution is a great place to start for answers and guidance.
There are also many nonprofit organizations and charitable organizations that offer financial aid and scholarships to students with special needs. In order to apply for such financial aid, students and their families should get in touch with organizations that are directly related to the student’s disability.
Social Security Disability Payments
The Social Security Administration offers two programs: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). To qualify for SSDI, a student must have a qualifying disability and a particular number of work credits.
Disabled college students may also qualify for SSI. Eligibility criteria for SSI have nothing to do with work history, but you must demonstrate a financial need.
College Disability Services
Students with disabilities may find assistance through college disability services. There are federal requirements that all colleges and universities receiving federal funds must follow in regard to providing equal access to education for students with disabilities.
Assistance is usually coordinated through disability services offices. In order to receive necessary accommodations, students with disabilities should register with the school’s administration and submit appropriate paperwork.
There may be extra resources available through the college’s disability services office, such as sessions on study skills and time management or qualified tutoring. Students with disabilities may also be eligible for early registration for classes, special housing arrangements, and convenient or accessible parking spots near campus.
Grants
Grants are a form of supplementary financial aid that does not require any repayment. Educational institutions, nonprofits, and corporations can all offer financial aid in the form of grants. Each academic year that you continue your studies, you are eligible to renew various grants. If you cease your studies, your grant may be revoked, or you will not be eligible for grant renewal.
Applicants must meet requirements to qualify for these grants, such as demonstrating a financial need.
Grants may also be used to pay for assistive technology such as software for taking notes or Braille printers. Many grants, like the federal Pell Grant and state education grants, require applicants to fill out financial assistance forms as the first step in the grant application process.
Scholarships
There are also many scholarships specifically available to disabled students.
AAHD Frederick J. Krause Scholarship on Health and Disability
This scholarship is for disabled students are available at any recognized US university; applicants must be US citizens and attend full-time undergraduate or graduate programs. You must also be pursuing a degree in health and disability.
Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (AG Bell) College Scholarship Program
These scholarships are awarded on a academic merit basis to full-time students who are deaf or hard of hearing and who are pursuing an undergraduate degree at a college or university.
Students who are pursuing a graduate degree may also apply for other scholarships. These scholarships are available to students from the United States as well as students from other countries.
Baer Reintegration Scholarship
This scholarship provides financial aid for U.S. citizens undergoing treatment for a mental disease such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or bipolar disorder. College and university programs leading to degrees at the associate, bachelor’s, and master’s levels are all eligible.
Flora Marie Jenkins Memorial Disability Scholarship
This is a financial award provided to a citizen or permanent resident of the United States who demonstrates financial need and either has been accepted to or is currently enrolled in an undergraduate program in the United States.
In order to apply for this scholarship, you will be required to submit an essay in which you discuss the impact that your disability has had on your life.
Conclusion
So, while Disabled Students’ Allowance is a program intended for students in the UK, there are many other options available for disabled students in the US in the form of grants, scholarships, and college disability services.
