Funding for students with disabilities or dependents
Students with dependents
You apply for the following at the same time as applying for your tuition fee and maintenance loans:
- Adult Dependants Grant: up to £2,642
- Parents Learning Allowance: up to £1,508
- Childcare Grant: up to £255 per week for two or more children
If you're not already receiving them, you apply for Tax Credits through HM Revenue & Customs.
Disabled students
You can apply for the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) before you start your course. Student Finance England (or equivalent) can give you more details. If you're a part-time student and are attending at least 50% of the full-time course, you can apply for a pro-rata DSA.
Then what happens?
Your Local Authority will arrange a disability assessment to identify the help you need. It will then allocate money for each area that you're having financial difficulties with. The help is divided into three separate areas:
- equipment allowance: up to £5,161 in total for the course
- non-medical helpers allowance: up to £20,520 each year
- other disability-related costs: up to £1,724 each year
The Student Loans Company will make DSA payments either into your bank account or directly to the supplier of the equipment/services you need.
You might also be entitled to state benefits or help with healthcare costs. Contact the University's Student Funding Service for more information.
What else does Kingston University offer?
The University Disability Support Fund is available to all students with a disability whose disability costs have not been met elsewhere. If you want to apply for this, get in touch with the Disability and Dyslexia Support Service.