Disabled Students' Allowance Postgraduate, Tuition Fee and Extra Help Students

2. Who can get this allowance?

You don't need to work out if you're eligible - we'll do it for you

This page is intended for your information only. Make your application for student finance, we'll determine your eligibility and let you know.

If you would like to speak to someone about your eligibility or your study needs assessment for Disabled Students' Allowance you can speak to the postgraduate Disabled Students' Allowance Office by calling 028 9047 0155 or emailing DSA-PT-PG@eani.org.uk

The following can contribute to your eligibility for a Disabled Students Allowance for full-time postgraduate tuition fee and extra help students.

Your disability, condition or learning difficulty

To qualify for Disabled Students' Allowance you must have a disability that meets the definition of disability under the Equality Act 2010 (opens in a new tab) and that impacts your ability to study.

This can include a long-term health condition, mental-health condition, physical disability or specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia.

You'll be asked to send proof such as a report or letter from your doctor or consultant or a diagnostic assessment from a psychologist or suitably qualified teacher.

Eligibility for disability related funding from another source

You're not eligible for Disabled Students' Allowance from Student Finance NI if you're:

  • eligible for a Department of Health, NHS or other health care bursary
  • receiving a bursary or award from a research council
  • receiving the NHS Business Services Authority's bursary for students on postgraduate social work courses
  • receiving a bursary or award from your university or college which includes support that is equal to DSA.

If the Postgraduate DSA Office determines that you're eligible for funding from another source they'll tell you what you need to do.

Nationality and residency

You could get this funding if you're able to identify as one of the following:

A UK or Irish citizen or someone with settled status in the UK

You must:

  • normally live in Northern Ireland
  • have been living in the UK, the Channels Islands or the Isle of Man for the three years before the first day of your first academic year

Irish citizens and family members of Irish citizens with less than-three years residency in UK & Islands may be eligible for tuition fee only funding. This means they would be eligible for a Postgraduate Tuition Fee Loan but would not be eligible for DSA.

An EU national

You must:

  • have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme
  • normally live in Northern Ireland
  • have been living in the UK, the Channels Islands or the Isle of Man for the three years before the first day of your first academic year

EU nationals and family members of EU nationals with less than 3 years residency in UK & Islands may also be eligible for a Postgraduate Tuition Fee Loan if they have lived in the UK, Gibraltar, the EEA or Switzerland for the three years before the first day of your first academic year. They would be eligible for a Postgraduate Tuition Fee Loan as a tuition fee only funding student, but would not be eligible for DSA.

A UK national or family members of UK national who has been living in the EEA or Switzerland

You must:

  • have normally lived in the EEA or Switzerland on or before 31 December 2020
  • have lived in the UK, Gibraltar, the EEA or Switzerland for the three years before the first day of your first academic year
  • be studying in Northern Ireland

An eligible exception residency type

Our eligible exception residency types can include refugees, those under humanitarian protection or their immediate family members.

Resident in another area of the UK but living in Northern Ireland while you study

You will not be classed as 'ordinarily resident' in Northern Ireland and will not be eligible for support from Student Finance NI. You should contact your home funding provider for further information on what support is available.

Course

The course must be in the UK, or selected universities and colleges in the Republic of Ireland (ROI), and a postgraduate Certificate, Diploma or Master's course. Students should check with their university that their course is recognised.

Place of study

Both your course and place of study must be eligible for funding from us. It must be a UK based university or college, or selected universities and colleges in the Republic of Ireland (ROI), and you need to study at least 50% of your course in the UK.

Your university or college will be able to confirm their eligibility for funding from us.

Studying abroad

You may be eligible for Disabled Students' Allowance whilst attending an overseas university or college as part of your UK course. You must apply for Disabled Students' Allowance before undertaking any study abroad so that your eligibility and entitlement can be clearly established prior to leaving the UK.

Part-time postgraduate master's courses

DSA is available for courses of less than one year's duration and up to three times the length of the equivalent full-time course.

Age

There's no upper or lower age limit for Postgraduate Disabled Students' Allowance.

Previous study

Previous study won't affect your eligibility for Disabled Students' Allowance, even if you got financial support. However, if you received Disabled Students' Allowance for any specialist equipment for a previous course, this will be taken into account.

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