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Soo stressedI have been so super stressed lately. I have been doing well with managing my crohns/colitis but Im worried all this stress might be getting to me.  I noticed and ulcer in my mouth today. Hopefully its just random.

But anyways getting to the point of this post. Im a high school senior applying for college. Hence the being super stressed! I hope to go to school in North Carolina but its expensive and I need to find ways to get money to pay for it. This just adds more stress. I would love to know if anyone has any tips for applying to colleges and how to not stress!! Also if anyone knows of good GI doctors in the myrtle beach area( for if i get in!)!

thanks and glad I have somewhere just to vent!

 Reply posted for girlwthgoals.

Be sure to file your FAFSA on January 1st. Often students miss this deadline because they think they have to have their tax information in order to complete it. Not the case...when you file and you get to the section about tax info, on of the options is "will file". If you pick that option and then go back after you get your tax info (even if its several months later) and put in the correct figures, you will still be in the priority pool and be considered for any and all financial aid and grants. I work at a college and echo what others have said about getting something to prove your disability or working with the nontraditional or disability services department on the campus you attend. You will definetely need doctors notes or other documentation in case you have to miss class.

 Reply posted for girlwthgoals.

How is sunny Myrtle Beach?If you have not done so make sure that your school district has an IEP in your file.  In that file you will also want to make sure that you have documentation of your chronic illness.  This may not seem important to you now, but it is very important for college.  In the file make sure that you have a letter stating that you may have to miss more than 10 days of school because of your illness and have it signed by your doctor. 

When you apply for colleges, ask for the department that handles non-traditional students.  Go to the college that is the most open to handle your needs.  Currently you should be working with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation.  Your School District should have these people coming in and working with students who have special concerns.  This is very important and this relationship can make the difference of going to college or not.  My son was born with several physical challenges.  I am retired now but I worked 25 years with UC  as a bank manager. 

That OVR relationship has provided thousands of dollars for school. On the internet there is a websearch called FASTWEB. You type in your criteria and associations and it gives you a list of scholarships.  Apply for everything. Go to your school guidance counselor.  When you have decided between which schools you plan on attending, see what each one of them will offer and then take the  financial aide package to the other schools and see if they can do any better.

Apply for everything.  My son got $1000 from the Assc for the Blind and even $500 from his grade school PTO,  He filled out an application and won a $50 Savings Bond from our Bank.  Just try everywhere.  There is so much out there and this is the one time in your life that you can use your illness to your advantage.

If you need any other information, just post...I will get back to you...YOU GO GIRL!!!

 Reply posted for girlwthgoals.

I totally know your level of stress right now. I'm a senior in college, and I was going through rough times with my Crohn's while dealing with college and money pressures a couple years ago (and still!). But if you're worried about stressing at school, check if your school has a disability program that can support your disease. Sometimes they'll give you written excuses if you miss class and exams and everything. It's nice to know there's always a plan B just in case, ya know. Getting a doctor in the area is also a great idea.
To manage the money situation, make sure you apply to other schools in case last minute you decide against your first choice. Also, I applied to a bunch of scholarships. Make a spreadsheet type of thing and you can organize the scholarships by the due dates. It makes it a little more manageable. And make sure you keep your essays or short answers! You can tweak them to fit a bunch of scholarship descriptions, so thats half the work.
I hope that helped! Good luck in school!