DePaul’s School for New Learning (SNL), which typically serves adult students over the age of 24, is expanding its offerings to younger students through a program called Inside Track. SNL also will offer four new scholarships specifically designed to help chronically ill students cover the cost of their studies.

Inside Track will target students aged 18 to 24 who are affected by such illnesses as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, Gulf War Syndrome, lupus, epilepsy, Crohn’s disease, bipolar disorder, cancer, heart disease, chemical sensitivity and rheumatoid arthritis.

Students enrolled in the Inside Track program will receive a range of additional support including the ability to earn degrees at their own pace, the option of earning a degree totally online, faculty trained to understand the needs of ill students, and special advisors.

SNL currently is accepting applications for Inside Track. The first group will begin classes in January 2005.

“Young people who are ill have faced the kinds of challenges that others often do not experience until adulthood,” said Lynn Royster, a visiting professor in SNL and advisor for the Chronic Illness Initiative, which serves all chronically ill students at SNL. “They have been able to develop the kind of perspective and maturity that SNL students need.”

A second boon to the chronically ill comes in the form of scholarships specifically for them. A $50,000 endowed scholarship has been named for Patrick B. Holaday, Royster’s son, who has had CFS for 18 years. The Chronic Illness Scholarship will award $1,500 to two chronically ill SNL students each year. Applicants will be selected on the basis of financial need, ability to be successful in college, and the courage and character they have demonstrated in dealing with their illness.

In addition, the Chicago-based Special People in Need Foundation has donated $1,000 in scholarships for 2004. Two students meeting the same criteria required for the Chronic Illness Scholarship will be awarded $500 each. Students wishing to be considered for either scholarship should contact Royster at 312/362-5079 or by e-mail at lroyster@depaul.edu.

Established in 1972, SNL is one of the first programs in the nation created to serve the specific needs of adult learners. It offers on-site programs at several U.S. corporations and programs in South Africa and Hong Kong are also patterned after SNL. Inside Track further illustrates SNL’s commitment to providing innovative programs to make higher education more accessible.

“SNL has always taken the lead in providing educational options that broaden access to college, said Susanne Dumbleton, SNL dean. “Inside Track will allow us to expand our scope to reach a younger population that can achieve educational success through a program designed to meet its specific needs.”