Community College Student That Has Been Out For Two Years

Transfer Students
1

I haven’t been in school for two years due to a close friend who has passed away and also due to health problems that I’ve been facing. Why go to school when you know your health is poor? There is no point in attending school if you are having problems with your health.

    That being said,  I miss my community college a lot.  I wasn't the type that was super involved with activities. Only a few. I made it to Phi theta Kappa in April of 2018, but I checked recently, and they wrote my name out for lack of attendance. I also wrote for the school newspaper for two years. Writing is something I definitely enjoy, but I also have considered working for film, radio, and television. 

    It is crucial for me to continue my education, but at this point, I don't see how.  I currently have 22 credits from the same community college that I've been going (part time) for four years. It is also worth noting that I may have been able to get a GPA of 3.86 out of 4.0, but by next year, I'll be off my parent's insurance, and then I will not be able to pick up any of my prescription drugs needed to treat my disability, let alone get great grades at school. Medications are living proof that your quality of health can influence your GPA. So many students could have better grades if they just had better healthcare. However, I am thankful that because of my parent's insurance I qualify for treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Maybe they can get to the heart of my disability. I would absolutely love to be like everyone else and work full time along with going to school.

    Based on all of this, I realize that I'm in need of transferring to a university, really anywhere, that would give me health insurance. I'm not ready to work at most places yet. I've tried figuring out by myself what I could do where my health wouldn't be at risk.  I don't know the answer. I've also considered leaving the country. At least with traveler's insurance I would be covered (not the same as health insurance of course). France may be an option because I took some French in high school and college. Price of living in Germany is low. Just ideas for now.....
       What do any of you think?
2

Go back to your community college. Speak with the transfer advisor there and with the disability office. Get help with sorting out your application plans. You have 22 credits. You might be closer to transfer or a job than you think. If your parents can help you pay for the rest of your education, find out how quickly you can complete the requirements for transfer. If your parents can’t help pay, find out how quickly you can complete your AA or AS in something that can help you get a job that would work for you. There also might be a non-credit program in the continuing education division that will get you a job even sooner.

Find out what your health insurance options are in your state. Does your community college offer health insurance for students? Will you qualify for medicaid when you age out of your parents’ insurance plan? Are there any employers that offer insurance even for part-time workers?

“Some French” is not going to be enough to enable you to study at the university level. You need to have near-native fluency including a strong command of academic vocabulary.

The Mayo is terrific. Go spend time with them, and find out what they think about your best options for your health.

3

You should discuss your specific health concerns with the Mayo Clinic. They should have a social worker who can assist you with getting your own insurance or what the options are. You may qualify for some type of disability program within your state. I think tying your insurance to school when you haven’t been able to attend full time due to health is a terrible idea when you’re dependent on medication for survival. If you’re about to come off your parents insurance then you must be almost 26? You are considered independent from a financial aid standpoint and can hopefully get the resources you need while you figure things out. Your guidance counselor at cc could hopefully direct you in your education options.