Will I be supported in my education?
It is important that where you have any additional needs, you make your institution aware of them as they may have an impact on your studies at some point during your education. This includes long-term health conditions, learning difficulties, physical or sensory disabilities, and mental health conditions. There is lots of support for you to access, this page will identify some of the help that you may find at your chosen institution.
You should try to contact the institution you are hoping to attend directly so that they may be able to tell you more about the guidance they can offer. We can support you in accessing contacts at your chosen institution if you require any assistance, contact us via our email: linchigher@bishopg.ac.uk
Disabled Students Allowance
Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) is support to cover the study-related costs you have because of a mental health problem, long term illness or any other disability.
What DSA can pay for
You can get help with the costs of:
- specialist equipment, for example a computer if you need one because of your disability
- non-medical helpers, for example a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter or specialist note taker
- extra travel to attend your course or placement because of your disability
- other disability-related study support, for example having to print additional copies of documents for proof-reading
Eligibility
You can apply for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) if you live in England and have a disability that affects your ability to study, such as a:
- specific learning difficulty, for example dyslexia or ADHD
- mental health condition, for example anxiety or depression
- physical disability, for example if you have to use crutches, a wheelchair or a special keyboard
- sensory disability, for example if you’re visually impaired, deaf or have a hearing impairment
- long-term health condition, for example cancer, chronic heart disease or HIV
You must also:
- be an undergraduate or postgraduate student (including Open University or distance learning)
- qualify for student finance from Student Finance England
- be studying on a course that lasts at least a year
You can find more information on Disabled Students' Allowance and how to apply via the government website:
Bishop Grosseteste University
Interested in learning more about SEND and Inclusion? Hear firsthand from students at BGU about their experiences whilst studying at Higher Education. These students are studying Special Educational Needs, Disability & Inclusion (SENDI) at BGU.
University of Lincoln
Hear from students who attended the UoL Wellbeing Orientation Week (WOW). WOW Summer school is an award winning transitional Summer school for students with a diagnosis of autism, Asperger’s or a condition that may make the transition from further education to university more challenging.
WOW Summer school provides students with the opportunity to learn more about the University, what to expect and what is expected of them whilst studying at Higher Education level. It’s aim is to ease any anxieties students may have about the transition into University life.
Disability Bursaries
Below is a list of bursaries available at some of our partner institutions. You can follow links to the relevant webpages under each section.
Use the heading tabs to expand and collapse each section.
Undergraduate Scholarships and Bursaries.
George Major Bursaries.
George Major Bursaries aims to provide bursaries for students with disabilities.
Bursary Amount:
The bursary is a set amount of £1,000 paid to eligible students on Undergraduate, Postgraduate (Research) and Postgraduate (Taught) courses.
Selection Criteria:
The bursaries will be used to support students who have a life-long illness (see indicative list below although this is not exhaustive) where additional financial support could be used to help a student enjoy a better quality of life and have access to all aspects of their students experience.
- Cancer
- Heart Disease
- Cystic fibrosis
- HIV
- Metabolic disorders
- Neurodegenerative disease (i.e. multiple sclerosis)
- Genetic conditions
- Chronic liver disease
- Renal disease
How to Apply:
The bursaries will be administered by Student Services, who can be contacted by emailing studentsupport@lincoln.ac.uk.
There are many more scholarships and bursaries which may apply to you.
Bishop Grosseteste University Bursaries - The BGU Bursary is an additional source of funding available to full-time undergraduate students. You can view the information available from BGU here:
Support at Boston College
16-19 Bursary Fund.
The 16-19 Bursary Fund is provided by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) and allows the College to help learners overcome specific financial barriers, so they can remain in education.
Those aged 16-18 or over 19 and have an EHCP or over 19 and classed as a '19+ continuer' on the 31st August of the year the course starts, may qualify for help with transport, equipment, course materials, uniform, UCAS fees, educational trips and visits and food credit.
Support at Grantham College
16-18 Bursary Fund.
"We understand that studying at college may cause financial problems. We have a Student Finance department that provides both existing and prospective students with advice and guidance in relation to Student Finance, while also providing financial support to students studying at Grantham College."
"You could get a bursary to help with education-related costs if you’re aged 16 to 19 and:
- studying at a publicly funded school or college in England - not a university
- on a training course, including unpaid work experience
(A publicly funded school is one that does not charge you for attending it.)
If you’re 19 and over
You could also get a bursary if you either:
- are continuing on a course you started aged 16 to 18 (known as being a ’19+ continuer’)
- have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)"
You should contact Grantham College for more information specific to your needs:
Disabled Student Allowance (DSA)
If you are studying a University level course at Grantham College and have a learning disability or difficulty then you can apply for a Disabled Student Allowance (DSA)
DSA grants are based on your personal needs and not at all based on your income. The funds are paid to the supplier of support or specialist equipment which may be the college if you so choose.
This is on an application basis, see more via the website.
Bursary Support for Vulnerable Young People
Learners, aged 16-18, who are in care (local authority), care leavers, on income support or universal credit in their own name or in receipt of both Employment Support Allowance and Disability Living Allowance/Personal Independence Payments may be eligible for a Vulnerable Young People bursary worth up to £1,200.
You can access an application form for the current year via the GIFHE website:
Support at Stamford College
16 – 19 Vulnerable Student Bursary.
Vulnerable Bursary of up to £1,200 per academic year. You will be paid £33.33 per week throughout the academic year; this is dependent on your attendance being 85% weekly. You may also be eligible for a free college bus pass and the uniform and kit you need to complete your course.
Support at Riseholme College
Residential Bursary Fund
The Residential Bursary Fund provides financial support for the residential accommodation costs, of students aged 16 and above who are completing a qualifying land based Further Education course, and who cannot reasonably travel on a daily basis. The Residential Bursary Fund is means-tested on household income, and to qualify, the household income must be below £36,000.
The Vulnerable Bursary
The Vulnerable Bursary of £1,200 is available for those in care, care leavers, those on income support and those students who receive both the Disability Allowance and the Employment Support Allowance.
Support at Lincoln College
Eligible students may be able to receive support with essential course-related costs. If you are aged 16-18 or aged 19+ you can get help with course related costs through the means tested Learner Support Fund.
This fund is available to help with course-related costs including, but not exclusively: uniform and equipment, travel to college, meals support, stationery, books, trips, UCAS application fees and travel to a maximum of 2 Higher Education interviews
UCAS
If applying to Further Education, Higher Education, Postgraduate study, and Apprenticeships, you may have to do so via UCAS. The UCAS website can provide you with information on both preparing for Open Days and Campus Visits, as well as the importance of speaking with Disability Support Teams.
You can explore the UCAS website's Frequently Asked Questions here:
Additional Resources
We have various resources available for you to view on our FutureFocus website, these include the following:
- Discover Uni with Anna - Anna has a functional neurological disorder. But the disabilities team at her university has helped her with costs, accommodation and flexible learning.
- Disability Rights UK Into HE Guide for Disabled students - Snowden Trust guide to additional support in higher education for disabled students. (Aimed at teahcers supporting Disabled students)
- Guide for SEN Learners: University information guide for schools and colleges - Information guide from the University of Lincoln Transition & Wellbeing team relating to support services available for young SEN Learners. (Aimed at teachers supporting SEND students)
