College Grants Available for students with Lupus?

stars_n_eyes

New Member

Joined : Jul 2008

Posts : 6

Posted 7/25/2008 12:55 PM (GMT -7)

Hi all!

I was diagnosed with Lupus when I was 15 years old. I am now 23 and finally begining to learn how to manage this disease. It is amazing to me how every little small thing in my life affects this disease. Anyway, I began college when I was 18, and due to severe flares ended up taking almost 2 years off (Cumulatively). I am finally now ready to go back to school. After a lot of prayer and thinking, my family and I decided that I couldn't work and go to school at the same time. Thats when I flare up, (too much on my plate). I am having dificulty finding a way to pay for school. Does anyone know of any grants available to college students to help them pay for tuition. I just want to finish school and begin my life. I would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks a lot for taking the time to reply to this!

AlwaysRosie

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Joined : Jan 2005

Posts : 8616

Posted 7/25/2008 1:42 PM (GMT -7)

Hi Stars !! Welcome to the forum sis. YES! That would be a lot on a healthy person's plate!! I'm so sorry you are having to deal with all of this at such a young age. I really don't know anything about available $ for college . . . but wanted to welcome you to the forum. Blessings! In His Grip AlwaysRosie " We can't control the waves, but we can learn how to surf!! " Psalms 139 Co-Moderator - Lupus Forum UCTD, Inflammatory Arthritis, Diverticulosis, (recent dx - Sjogrens, Crohn’s 4/08) Clickable Links: Lupus Resources Lupous.Org Lupus Criteria (4 of 11) Lupus Chapter Locator

Ginny

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Joined : Feb 2003

Posts : 5514

Posted 7/25/2008 1:56 PM (GMT -7)

Hi Stars, again!

Wow, you do have a lot going on. I commend you for even trying to do all that! Are you in Canada or the US? I might be able to help you if you're in Canada. But I have no idea what is available in the US. Hopefully someone here can help you out with your questions.

What are you studying? Just curious!

Blessings,

ginny

I can do anything through Jesus Christ who strengthens me. I have learned in whatever state I am in,to be content. Phillipians 4:11-13

34 years old. Diagnosed with lupus in 2000. Fibromyalgia, anti-phospholipid syndrome(APS)(stroke),Sjogren's, Raynaud's, seizure disorder-(miraclulously disappeared!), Libman Sach's Endocarditis, vasculitis, sacroiliitis, arthritis (neck) . Prednisone, Imuran, Coumadin, Clobazam, Amitriptyline, didrocal, Cozaar, calcium, Cykolokapron, multi-vitamin, vitamin D, Magnesium, vitamin B6, Acidophilus

stars_n_eyes

New Member

Joined : Jul 2008

Posts : 6

Posted 7/25/2008 3:51 PM (GMT -7)

Thanks for all the support! No matter how loving and supportive you family and friends are, they never truly understand how challenging it can be to function when you have a disease like this. I am going to school for Exceptional Education. I love working with children with disabilities such as autism... I really feel like I can connect with them and communicate. I love it. Anyway, I do not live in Canada, although I have visited there - it is really beautiful! I live in the U.S. I really feel that there should be some assistance out there for people with Lupus going through college. It can easily become just as much as a disability as any other health related disability out there... it's just harder to see... harder to explain. Anyway, I could rant on about it for a while, but - thanks again for replying, I appreciate it!

Ginny

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Joined : Feb 2003

Posts : 5514

Posted 7/25/2008 3:58 PM (GMT -7)

Well, up here in Canada there are programs through the provincial governments for people with disabilities to help them afford tuition etc. The challenge is getting them to understand that lupus is a valid disability. So I'm sure, in whatever state you live, there must be something like that available. I'd contact your local lupus chapter organization and see if they know where you should apply, etc. They have a lot of great resources available and would probably have no trouble assisting you.

I think your direction of studies is fantastic! What an incredibly rewarding career you're going to have. Good on you!!!

I can do anything through Jesus Christ who strengthens me. I have learned in whatever state I am in,to be content. Phillipians 4:11-13

stars_n_eyes

New Member

Joined : Jul 2008

Posts : 6

Posted 7/25/2008 4:02 PM (GMT -7)

Thanks for the help! I will definatly do that!

Butterflake

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Joined : Jun 2006

Posts : 1650

Posted 7/26/2008 4:54 AM (GMT -7)

Hi Stars. I googled "student grants lupus" and found a couple of grant sources, so try a few google searches. You may want to consider loans. I didn't get my bachelor's until I was 36 and I didn't have lupus. Through much of this I was a single working mom and I took 1 or 2 classes a semester. Getting my BS changed my life (for the better) so don't give up. Just keep at it! Love, Butterflake

Dx: SLE ('05), depression, diabetes, fibromyalgia, gerd, sleep apnea, hypertension, IBS Tx: CellCept, plaquenil, prednisone, lisinopril, actos, lipitor, nexeum, prozac, seroquel, celebrex, actonel prn: arthritis tylenol, neurontin, promethazine, ambien. multi vit, C, flaxseed oil, acupuncture

Donna

stars_n_eyes

New Member

Joined : Jul 2008

Posts : 6

Posted 7/26/2008 5:14 PM (GMT -7)

Thanks so much! I am not too handy with google, and although I searched, I didn't use those keywords - I will give it a try :.) Thanks a bunch, I appreciate you taking the time to research that!!!

Audrey Ann

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Joined : Jul 2005

Posts : 815

Posted 7/26/2008 8:27 PM (GMT -7)

Greetings Stars! What a great career you are pursuing! I have been in education for 23 years now and I have loved every minute of it! I have founs that I love students of all ages and there is a special place in my heart for my students with autism. Finding a job in Special Education, especially with an endorsement for autism, will be easier for you since Special Education teachers are in such high demand!

If you qualify for a federal loan and find a teaching job in either a rural or an urban community, your loans will be forgiven. I think you must teach in the community for four or five years - not sure - but the school just fills out a special form each year and they do not send you the bill!

First, you need to go to your college financial aid office to get the required forms for the loan (I think it is called the FAFSA Loan) and fill this out with your family. You need to do this as soon as possible since classes start within a month now. In addition, the counselors at the financial aid office may be able to point you to other scholarships for which you might qualify.

Good luck to you! Do not ever give up. It is OK to take some reduced class loads so that you can pace yourself and avoid flares.

Audrey

Prayers,

Audrey Ann

Lupus, RA, and (Maybe) Fibromyalgia and LOTS of Medications!

stars_n_eyes

New Member

Joined : Jul 2008

Posts : 6

Posted 7/27/2008 6:16 AM (GMT -7)

Wow! How encouraging. I just went into the financial aid office on Friday and was informed of that. Apparently you can have your loans forgiven on a national level and a state level. One of them offers what you are saying, and the other offers to forgive something like $1200 a year if you match it. They will do that every year until your loans are gone. Pretty cool. The only think I am nervous about with using the 5 year forgiveness is if I decide to start a family in that time or something like that. Do you know if they allow for gaps in the employment history for maternity leave? Just curious... I read through the info, but didn't get a clear answer on it. I can always make another appointment to talk to the financial aid again, but I thought I'd ask you too, because you seem to be very knowledgable about it all. Thank you so much! By the way... which area/age do you currently teach?

Audrey Ann

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Joined : Jul 2005

Posts : 815

Posted 7/27/2008 2:09 PM (GMT -7)

Great, I am happy you are looking into all options.

I would think that if you were on an approved maternity leave that you would be fine. If you would actually quit your position with the hopes of finding another position later, then I would not think that would be OK. Also, you could try to time your babies for the summer (I was lucky to be able to do this - I had one in June and one in July) and hope family could help you out with child care.

Currently, I am an elementary principal (K-5) and I have taught first, fifth, sixth, and kindergarten as well as serving as an Instructional Consultant K-12. Education is a very rewarding career but it is also very hard work. I do not know very many teachers who actually take the summer off. Many take classes in the summer or serve on curriculum committees or coach students or write grants. Teachers are amazing! Be prepared to pay for all of your licensing and certification tests. Also, you will, most likely, subsidize your classroom with toys, office supplies, books, and some teaching materials. It is amazing how giving teachers can be. Special Education is in demand but in other areas of education there is a surplus of candidates. I just read through 166 applications for one first grade position. It was heartbreaking. Most of the applications were very good. I wish I had time to interview about 120 of them!

Anyway, I am not sure how bad your lupus is, but, you should be abl to pace yourself in this career. I have RA and lupus and I have teachers with various autoimmune problems and we all support each other. You really have to guard your time and make sure you go to bed early EVERY night.

All my best to you!

Prayers,

Audrey Ann

Lupus, RA, and (Maybe) Fibromyalgia and LOTS of Medications!

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