How and when to report change of circumstance, and to who.

How and when to report change of circumstance, and to who.

Someone receiving Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) reports a change of circumstances either to Student Finance (SFE/SLC/SFW/SAAS/FSD/DSA) or to their DSA supplier depending on what has changed.

Easy Rule of Thumb

  • If it affects your funding, eligibility, or needs assessment → tell Student Finance.

  • If it affects delivery of support or equipment → tell your supplier.

Contact Student Finance England if your circumstances change:


To report a change of circumstances related to your DSA and travel allowance, you'll need to update your DSA application through your student finance account. If you don't have an online account, you'll need to complete a "change of circumstances" form, which can be found on the GOV.UK website. You can also discuss any changes with your university's disability advisor. 


Changes to Report:

You need to notify Student Finance England of any changes to your course, university, or college.
This includes repeating a year, changing your name or marital status, changes in your tuition fee loan amount, or a change in your living situation.
It's also a good idea to discuss any changes with your university's disability advisor. They can help you understand how the change might affect your DSA and provide guidance on how to proceed. 

Update your details:

If you change your name, marital status, University addresses, Taxi service or address, you'll need to update your details. GOV.UK recommends using form CO2 for this purpose. 

How to Report a Change of Circumstances for DSA

1. When to Report a Change Directly to DSA / Student Finance England

Changes which affect your eligibility or entitlement must be reported to Student Finance (SFE/SLC/SFW/SAAS/FSD/DSA) directly.

You must contact Student Finance (SFE/SLC/SFW/SAAS/FSD/DSA) if the change could affect:

A. Your eligibility

  • You leave your course

  • You suspend or interrupt your studies

  • You change course

  • You change university or college

  • You switch from full‑time to part‑time (or vice versa)

  • You repeat a year

  • Your disability or condition worsens, meaning you may need additional support

B. Your entitlement

  • You need more support than originally assessed (e.g., more NMH hours, additional equipment)

  • Your condition changes significantly (improves or worsens)

  • Your study pattern changes (e.g., distance learning vs in‑person)

  • You move address if it affects equipment delivery, travel or support arrangements

How to report to Student Finance (SFE/SLC/SFW/SAAS/FSD/DSA)

  • Log in to your Student Finance account and use “change your circumstances” (this is also mentioned in the application process)

  • Or contact directly by phone or secure message.

2. When to Report a Change to Your DSA Supplier

Your supplier handles the practical side of your support (equipment, software, NMH, training). You contact them when the change affects delivery or use of support, not your entitlement.

Report to your supplier if:

Do NOT report these to SF/DSA — suppliers handle them.

3. What Does Count as a Change of Circumstance (Affects DSA)

These are changes that may affect your funding, so they must go to SFE:

ChangeReport to SFE?Report to Supplier?
Leaving or suspending your course✅ Yes❌ No
Changing course or university✅ Yes❌ No
Switching full‑time ↔ part‑time✅ Yes❌ No
Condition worsens and you need more support✅ Yes❌ Supplier may also need to know
Moving address (affects equipment delivery)⚠️ Usually yes✅ Yes
Needing additional NMH hours✅ Yes❌ Supplier cannot approve extra hours
Equipment no longer suitable due to condition change✅ Yes⚠️ Supplier may help assess
Changing study mode (distance learning, placement year)✅ Yes❌ No

4. What Does NOT Count as a Change of Circumstance (Does NOT affect DSA)

These do not affect your entitlement and should not be reported to SFE:

  • Changing your timetable

  • Changing your address if it does not affect support or Taxi and Travel

  • Wanting to reschedule NMH/ATT sessions

  • Needing equipment repair or replacement

  • Needing replacement consumables (ink, batteries, etc.)

  • Changing your phone number or email

  • Asking for additional training on software you already have (assuming you have awarded hours left)

  • Querying switching between remote and in‑person NMH/ATT (supplier handles this)