Disabled students' allowance

Disabled students' allowances are grants to help meet the extra course costs higher education students can face as a direct result of a disability, mental health condition or specific learning difficulty. They are aimed at helping disabled students to study on an equal basis with other students.

Full-time, part-time and postgraduate students can apply for disabled students' allowances.

The amount you get doesn't depend on your household income. disabled students' allowances are paid on top of the standard student finance package, and don't have to be paid back.

Disabled students' allowances can help with:

• specialist equipment you need for studying - for example, computer software;
• a non-medical helper, such as a note-taker or reader;
• extra travel costs you have to pay because of your disability;
• other costs - for example, tapes or Braille paper.

How to check if you are eligible
To apply for financial help through disabled students' allowances, both you and your course must be eligible. You can find out more by visiting the Directgov website.

How to apply
You can apply for the disabled students' allowance as part of your student loan application. Visit the Student Finance Direct website for more information.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
As of closedown on the 3rd February 2011, the council will be closing its phone lines, email boxes and Customer Service for enquiries regarding student finance.

The formal transfer of this function will pass to Student Finance England (SFE) from 7th February 2011. From this date staff at London Borough of Harrow will no longer have access to the system or student files and will be unable to provide any assistance.

Students must contact SFE direct on 0845 300 5090 or via their website http://www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance

Any correspondence or forms must be sent direct to

Student Finance England
PO Box 210
Darlington
DL1 9HJ