Where a young person has secured a place in higher education, they may be eligible for a Disabled Students Allowance (DSA). DSAs are available to help students in higher education with the extra costs they may incur on their course because of a disability. This can include an ongoing health condition, mental health condition or specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia. Students need to make an application to Student Finance England (for students living in England), providing accompanying medical evidence. Applications for DSA can be made as soon as the student finance application service opens- this is generally six months before the start of the academic year. It is a good idea for young people to make an early claim for DSA to ensure that support is in place when their course begins.

Local authorities should plan a smooth transition to higher education. Under the Care Act 2014 young people have the right to request transition assessments for adult care that will enable them to see whether they are likely to have eligible needs that will be met by adult services once they turn 18. Local authorities should use these assessments to help plan for support that will be provided by the local authority while a young person is in higher education. Once the young person’s place has been confirmed at a higher education institution, the local authority will pass a copy of their EHC plan to the relevant person in that institution at the earliest opportunity, where they are asked to do so by the young person. The local authority should also plan how social care support will be maintained, where the young person continues to require it, and whether this will continue to be provided by the home local authority or by the authority in the area the young person is moving to. This will include consideration of how the student will be supported if they have a dual location, for example, if they live close to the higher education institution during term time and at home during vacations.

For further information about Higher Education please see Education.

Last updated: 12 June 2020