A new scholarship opportunity from the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada (CCFC) is aiming to make the educational experience of those affected by Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) more successful.

IBD is a collective term for Crohn's Disease and ulcerative colitis, two distinct diseases that affect the body in similar ways. Those suffering from Crohn's and colitis are at risk of experiencing acute attacks of symptoms that result in very frequent trips to the washroom, feelings of pain and discomfort and, on occasion, hospitalization. These attacks disrupt the day-to-day life of IBD sufferers and can make carrying an average course load at a college or university extremely difficult.

Due to acute flare-ups of IBD, nearly 70 per cent of those suffering from the diseases were delayed in completing their post-secondary education, according to the CCFC. To help those affected overcome the educational challenges brought on by IBD, the CCFC has introduced a new scholarship worth up to $5,000.

To qualify for this scholarship, each applicant must be a legal, permanent resident of Canada and must have been diagnosed by physician with Crohn's Disease or ulcerative colitis. The scholarship is open to anyone who is currently enrolled in a full-time university, college or trade school program for the school year beginning this September. Applicants must also submit a one-page essay outlining how they strive for academic success as well as an optimal level of wellness in the face of their health challenges, as well as two personal letters of recommendation. The one-time scholarship will be granted to seven individuals who meet all of the criteria.

To apply for the scholarship, and for more information, visit ibdscholarship.ca.