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Choosing a College

Choosing a college or university is a big decision. Take the time to find the college that’s right for you by exploring your interests and needs. In addition to the environment and majors offered, there are a couple of other things to consider when choosing a college or university if you have hemophilia:

Education Advantage Video

Away at school, Nicholas reflects on balancing hemophilia care and campus life.
Watch now!

• 1. Campus life

  Many students attending 4-year colleges and universities choose to live on campus in dorm rooms. If you have hemophilia, deciding to live away from home may be an especially important consideration. For many, this will be the first time living away from home and will have to learn how to be proactive and take care of their own health and hemophilia.

  The size and layout of the campus are also things you may want to think about. Many colleges have large, open campuses, and walking from dorm to classes every day may put a lot of strain on your joints. College visits and campus tours are great ways to experience campus life firsthand before choosing a school.¹

  If going away for college and campus residential life are not part of your plan, consider a school close to home. You may choose to live at home and commute to the campus for classes. Also, there are many colleges that offer distance learning or online programs. Online programs allow students to study and complete their courses from home, rather than gathering in a traditional classroom.² When choosing an online school or program, make sure if it is an accredited institution. There are many pathways to achieving your goals, and you may be eligible for scholarship assistance through the Education Advantage program for accredited online programs.

• 2. Cost of tuition

  Paying for college can be a stressful issue for anyone. Fortunately, there are ways to get financial support to help pay for tuition, including federal student aid, student loans, grants, and scholarships.³ Learn about the Education Advantage program that offers financial aid and more.

• 3. HTC location

  Most schools will have a student health center on campus, but hemophilia treatment centers specialize in hemophilia and can offer comprehensive medical care and a wide range of services.⁴ When choosing a college away from home, find the location of the nearest treatment center. You may want to consider the distance between campus and the HTC and whether there is dependable transportation for getting there at any time.

As with any decision affecting your medical care, you should always consult with your physician beforehand.

1. Bostwick J. College and hemophilia. Veinline. Spring 2007; 6. Available at: www.hfmd.org. Accessed August 26, 2009.
2. US Department of Education. National Center for Education Statistics. Distance education at degree-granting postsecondary institutions: 2006-07. Available at: http://nces.ed.gov. Accessed August 25, 2009.
3. US Department of Labor. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Sources of education, training, and financial aid. In: Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-2009. Available at: www.bls.gov. Accessed September 9, 2009.
4. National Hemophilia Foundation. Comprehensive medical care – hemophilia treatment centers. Available at: www.hemophilia.org. Accessed August 11, 2009.