Attending College on Disability

In most cases, people with disabilities who receive Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income benefits can continue getting benefits as they pursue a college education. However, attending a university does present some unique challenges to those receiving disability payments, especially if they attend school full-time.

Attending College While on Disability Benefits

The Social Security Administration has no rules forbidding continuing education for recipients of Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI, and Supplemental Security Income, or SSI. However, the SSA could discontinue your SSDI if it determines that your enrollment in school demonstrates that you are fit enough for work. The SSA reviews all cases occasionally to check for improvement. Full-time college attendance is likely to affect your disability status, especially if you were approved for SSDI or SSI on the basis of a mental impairment.

Before enrolling in secondary education as a disabled individual, it’s important to understand the circumstances that could cause the SSA to discontinue your benefits. It is possible to attend college and continue receiving some benefits—especially from SSI—as a person with a disability.

SSDI vs. SSI Benefits

Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, is a needs-based program for low-income individuals who are 65 or older, blind, or have a qualifying disabling condition. To qualify for SSI payments, a person’s income and resources must be less than $2,000. Other income an SSI recipient receives, such as wages, allowances, or government benefits, can reduce the amount of the SSI benefit. In 2025, the average monthly SSI payment is $967.

On the other hand, Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI, is a program for those with sufficient work histories who can no longer work due to a qualifying disabling condition. To be eligible, the applicant must have accumulated enough “work credits” before becoming disabled. There is no means test or limit on resources for these benefits. SSDI eligibility is based solely on disability and work history. Many college students are too young to have the work history required for SSDI benefits.

How College Enrollment Can Affect SSDI and SSI Benefits

Attending school full-time can potentially impact SSDI benefits, and the Social Security Administration may scrutinize your case when you enroll in college. While not prohibited, enrolling in school might lead the Social Security Administration to reassess your disability status if they believe your ability to work has improved.

A person who receives SSI because of a disability can attend school and continue receiving SSI. However, some special rules apply to student SSI recipients. Students who receive SSI based on disability can attend an education program without necessarily reducing their monthly benefit. However, it’s crucial to be aware of the rules related to how scholarships, financial aid, employment earnings, and student housing can affect SSI benefits.

Full-Time Enrollment and SSDI Eligibility

If you are a full-time student pursuing higher education, the SSA might find you are no longer disabled. Attending school raises the possibility that you are capable of working, jeopardizing your SSDI status. While SSDI can be affected by full-time school attendance, SSI is generally unaffected by attending school, especially for those under 22.

Part-Time Enrollment and SSDI Eligibility

Part-time enrollment is less likely to result in termination gf your SSDI benefits because part-time student status is less likely to trigger a review by the Social Security Administration.

Reporting Requirements When Attending College on Disability

When you decide to attend school, you should notify the SSA to avoid complications with benefits. You will likely need to report your school enrollment, financial aid, income, living arrangements, and other personal details. Failing to report changes accurately and on time to the SSA can result in penalties and reductions of your benefits.

The Social Security Administration conducts medical Continuing Disability Reviews every three years if it believes your condition may improve and every five to seven years if it considers your condition unlikely to improve. The administration will also conduct a redetermination that reviews your living situation, income, and resources to determine whether you still meet all the program requirements for SSI.

Vocational Rehabilitation and Support Programs for Students with Disabilities

Vocational Rehabilitation Services assist disabled individuals in the application process for returning to work. The service must result in a return to work for at least nine consecutive months or “substantial gainful activity.” Similar work incentive and assistance programs can help students with disabilities continue their education while preparing for future employment.

Ticket to Work Program

The Ticket to Work Program is a work-incentive initiative that helps individuals with disabilities return to work without losing their SSDI or SSI benefits. This transitional disability program connects disabled people with career development support and services to ensure they can still cover their living expenses while transitioning back to work.

Financial Aid and Scholarships for Students with Disabilities

Various financial support programs are available for students with disabilities, such as grants, scholarships, and student loans. However, it’s important to understand how these options may affect your SSI payments.

Pell Grants and SSI/SSDI Eligibility

Pell Grants help students in financial need. The U.S. Department of Education determines eligibility by analyzing the applicant’s financial information and their anticipated education cost.

Fortunately, all student financial assistance received under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 is excluded from the income and resource calculations for SSI eligibility. This includes Pell Grants, federal work-study, direct loans, Perkins loans, the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, and the Academic Competitiveness Grant.

Other Financial Support Options

Scholarships, fellowships, grants, or gifts from other sources are excluded from a student’s countable income if used to pay for tuition, fees, or other necessary educational expenses. Any financial aid not used for education expenses does count as income and will likely reduce your SSI benefit. Many scholarships are available specifically for students with disabilities, some of which can supplement income, and some specifically for educational costs.

How Working While Enrolled in School Affects Disability Benefits

Students often need to work while in school to pay expenses, but earned income from a job generally reduces a person’s monthly SSI benefit. However, the rules for students are more generous than for non-students.

If a SSI recipient qualifies as a student, the first $1,780 of monthly earnings, up to an annual amount of $7,180, is disregarded when calculating monthly benefits. To qualify for the Student Earned Income Exclusions, students must be under the age of 22 and regularly attending school for 8-12 hours a week, depending on the type of education.

Some scholarships and financial aid help students pay for food and shelter expenses. Unfortunately, if an SSI recipient receives assistance with food or shelter expenses, the benefit amount will generally be reduced by up to one-third of the maximum federal SSI monthly benefit, plus $20.

What to Do if You’re Concerned About Losing Benefits While in School

If you’re concerned about the potential loss of your SSI or SSDI benefits while attending college and pursuing a degree, it’s a good idea to consult a disability advocate or attorney to understand how college may affect your specific case. Sometimes, there are ways to continue your benefits while getting an education–for instance, by attending school part-time or on a grant.

Need Help with Your SSDI or SSI Benefits?

Attending college while on SSDI or SSI benefits is possible, but it’s critical to understand how your education may work against those benefits if not pursued carefully. Understanding school attendance rules, reporting requirements, and programs like vocational rehabilitation and Ticket to Work can help you have the most successful college experience possible.

At Disability Advice, we serve as a trusted resource for comprehensive information and guidance on SSDI and other disability programs. We understand how difficult it can be for people and families dealing with disabilities that affect their ability to work or attend school. Whether you’re just starting to find out if you can get benefits or applying for them, Disability Advice is here to help you every step of the way.