<p>crossposted with cptofthehouse</p>
<p>I do think there is a time limit on getting it removed from the bill, but it sure doesnt hurt to ask!</p>
<p>Re: post 19…as noted in post 20…most schools have a window in which to get the student health insurance waived. However in the case of this student…IF he had coverage, it is well worth asking to see IF they can waive this for the past school year.</p>
<p>HOWEVER…please be alert that this waiver needs to be DONE ANNUALLY…and there will be a window for that to be done again prior to the start of the next school year. I would suggest that the OP get that waiver signed so she can receive and read ALL emails/mailings that relate to costs/waivers…anything that has to do with money. This should be possible. THEN MAKE SURE that your kiddo does the insurance waiver when the time comes (assuming he has coverage that is equal to or better than what Tulane offers and can be used in Louisiana…which is usually the criteria for a waiver}.</p>
<p>Yes, that was the issue with the insurance, it had to be equal to what the school offered and be able to be used in Louisiana. Son’s insurance could not be used out of state except for life threatening emergencies and while I might could have made a case for him not using it, except for that type of emergency, as Tulane has a pretty good student health clinic, the insurance company told me that just because his permanent address is our home address, he is in effect living in another state, so they wouldn’t insure him. As I say, I juggle a lot of balls, and this was one of those things where I just could not find the time to research a more affordable option and opted for the university’s plan this year. He had a very basic plan and I didn’t look into the coverage issue till later, because it never dawned on me the plan wasn’t able to be used in another state. I am going to check around to see what other options might work for next year, though the university plan is quite good. Although sometimes I feel a little guilty admitting it, even though I work a lot of hours and keep up with a ton of stuff, not having his dad home doing the week really helps in allowing me to catch up with some stuff that I’ve neglected.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the nice words, sometimes I feel that I’m doing a pretty good job, other times, I just tell myself, 3 more years, I have to hold it together for 3 more years and then I can fall apart. What’s really scary is that I think what we’re experiencing as a family is going to become more and more common. When I first sought out the closest Alzheimer’s association they told me I was only the 2nd person that year they had talked to who was dealing with the issue of a fairly young spouse diagnosed and children still at home. Last spring, they told me they were seeing about 2 people a week in my shoes (they wanted to interview son for a piece they were doing on families like us, he declined and I let it be his choice) and I suspect by now it’s liable to be even higher. There are very few programs for those that are not elderly (at least in Texas) and the cost is unreal, not just in dollars but hours lost too. </p>
<p>Because I don’t look like what many people must imagine low income people look like, from time to time, people not familiar with my situation, especially recently, make comments about low income/government programs and the people who use them. At one time, I wouldn’t say anything, now though I just smile nicely and say I’m one of those people. To which most, embarrassed say; oh, I don’t mean people like you (talk about stereotyping) and change the subject. </p>
<p>But doin the college thing with my youngest leaves me concerned about many students. My son is where he is due to a combination of need and merit, without one or the other he couldn’t be where he is. But what about the ones with just as much need, but who weren’t as blessed to have the stats my son did? (and I’m not saying his were top of the line by any means, as others have pointed out, there are kids here that just blow me away). Or those who might have decent stats but whose parents are at that line where there is not much perceived need? I’m seeing too many boys not planning on going to college due to cost and I’m talking to their parents, trying to get them to come here, suggesting schools, etc… (University of Alabama is one of my top suggestions for kids with merit, whose parents can spend some but not a lot). I find trying to help others is a way to remind me it could be worse. Normally I wouldn’t have shared all the detail I did in this post, I’m not a big sharer but it’s been a few rough weeks here lately, and I have to watch what I say to friends, because there’s a chance it could get back to my son and then he’d worry more about me and not concentrate on what he needs to do. But this too shall pass is my mantra, it’s gotten me through a lot.</p>