.apply-now-page {
    background:
      radial-gradient(circle at top left, rgba(13, 110, 253, 0.08), transparent 24%),
      radial-gradient(circle at top right, rgba(102, 16, 242, 0.07), transparent 20%),
      linear-gradient(180deg, #f8fbff 0%, #eef4fb 100%);
    min-height: 100vh;
  }

  .apply-now-hero {
    background: linear-gradient(135deg, #0d3b8e 0%, #3b1f8f 100%);
    color: #fff;
    border-radius: 2rem;
    padding: 2.5rem;
    box-shadow: 0 20px 55px rgba(15, 23, 42, 0.16);
    position: relative;
    overflow: hidden;
  }

  .apply-now-hero::before,
  .apply-now-hero::after {
    content: "";
    position: absolute;
    border-radius: 50%;
    background: rgba(255,255,255,0.08);
  }

  .apply-now-hero::before {
    width: 280px;
    height: 280px;
    top: -80px;
    right: -70px;
  }

  .apply-now-hero::after {
    width: 180px;
    height: 180px;
    bottom: -50px;
    left: -40px;
  }

  .apply-now-hero > .row {
    position: relative;
    z-index: 1;
  }

  .apply-badge {
    display: inline-flex;
    align-items: center;
    background: rgba(255,255,255,0.12);
    border: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.18);
    border-radius: 999px;
    padding: 0.55rem 1rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    font-size: 0.92rem;
  }

  .apply-title {
    font-size: clamp(2.2rem, 4vw, 3.35rem);
    font-weight: 800;
    line-height: 1.15;
    margin-bottom: 0;
  }

  .apply-subtitle {
    font-size: 1.05rem;
    line-height: 1.85;
    color: rgba(255,255,255,0.9);
    max-width: 850px;
  }

  .apply-highlight {
    display: flex;
    flex-wrap: wrap;
    gap: 0.8rem;
  }

  .highlight-chip {
    display: inline-flex;
    align-items: center;
    border-radius: 999px;
    padding: 0.65rem 1rem;
    background: rgba(255,255,255,0.12);
    border: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.14);
    font-weight: 600;
  }

  .welcome-card,
  .apply-option-card,
  .apply-help-card {
    background: rgba(255,255,255,0.94);
    border: 1px solid rgba(13,110,253,0.08);
    border-radius: 1.6rem;
    box-shadow: 0 16px 38px rgba(15, 23, 42, 0.07);
  }

  .welcome-card {
    background: rgba(255,255,255,0.12);
    border: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.14);
    color: #fff;
    padding: 1.5rem;
    backdrop-filter: blur(10px);
  }

  .welcome-icon {
    width: 62px;
    height: 62px;
    border-radius: 1rem;
    display: inline-flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: center;
    background: rgba(255,255,255,0.16);
    font-size: 1.5rem;
    margin-bottom: 1rem;
  }

  .apply-option-card {
    padding: 1.75rem;
    height: 100%;
    transition: all 0.28s ease;
  }

  .apply-option-card:hover {
    transform: translateY(-6px);
    box-shadow: 0 22px 46px rgba(15, 23, 42, 0.11);
  }

  .option-icon {
    width: 68px;
    height: 68px;
    border-radius: 1rem;
    display: inline-flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: center;
    background: linear-gradient(135deg, #0d6efd, #6610f2);
    color: #fff;
    font-size: 1.5rem;
    box-shadow: 0 12px 24px rgba(13,110,253,0.18);
    margin-bottom: 1rem;
  }

  .option-icon-secondary {
    background: linear-gradient(135deg, #198754, #0dcaf0);
    box-shadow: 0 12px 24px rgba(25,135,84,0.18);
  }

  .option-title {
    font-size: 1.4rem;
    font-weight: 800;
    color: #0f172a;
    margin-bottom: 0.8rem;
  }

  .option-text {
    color: #64748b;
    line-height: 1.8;
    margin-bottom: 1.4rem;
  }

  .apply-btn {
    display: inline-flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: center;
    gap: 0.6rem;
    text-decoration: none;
    font-weight: 700;
    border-radius: 999px;
    padding: 0.95rem 1.35rem;
    transition: all 0.25s ease;
  }

  .apply-btn-primary {
    background: linear-gradient(135deg, #0d6efd, #6610f2);
    color: #fff;
    box-shadow: 0 12px 24px rgba(13,110,253,0.18);
  }

  .apply-btn-primary:hover {
    color: #fff;
    transform: translateY(-2px);
  }

  .apply-btn-outline {
    background: #fff;
    color: #0d6efd;
    border: 1px solid rgba(13,110,253,0.16);
  }

  .apply-btn-outline:hover {
    background: rgba(13,110,253,0.06);
    color: #0d6efd;
    transform: translateY(-2px);
  }

  .apply-help-card {
    padding: 1.5rem;
  }

  .help-title {
    font-size: 1.25rem;
    font-weight: 800;
    color: #0f172a;
  }

  .help-text {
    color: #64748b;
    line-height: 1.8;
  }

  .help-actions {
    display: flex;
    flex-wrap: wrap;
    gap: 0.8rem;
    justify-content: flex-start;
  }

  .mini-link-btn {
    display: inline-flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: center;
    gap: 0.5rem;
    text-decoration: none;
    border-radius: 999px;
    padding: 0.8rem 1.15rem;
    font-weight: 700;
    color: #0d4fd6;
    background: rgba(13,110,253,0.08);
    border: 1px solid rgba(13,110,253,0.10);
  }

  .mini-link-btn:hover {
    background: rgba(13,110,253,0.14);
    color: #0d4fd6;
  }

  @media (max-width: 991.98px) {
    .apply-now-hero {
      padding: 1.75rem;
    }
  }

  @media (max-width: 767.98px) {
    .apply-title {
      font-size: 2rem;
    }
  }