diff --git a/src/pages/apply.astro b/src/pages/apply.astro
index 89dd3f4..5ff61c8 100644
--- a/src/pages/apply.astro
+++ b/src/pages/apply.astro
@@ -151,24 +151,27 @@ import '../styles/apply.scss';
   const successMsg = document.getElementById('success-message');
 
   // --- STEP 1: CHECK GOOGLE SHEET STATUS ---
-  fetch(SCRIPT_URL)
-    .then(response => response.json())
-    .then(data => {
-      loadingStatus.style.display = 'none'; // Hide the spinner
-      
-      // Look at the B1 cell value from the Google Sheet
-      if (data.status === 'OPEN') {
-        registrationContent.style.display = 'block'; // Reveal the portal!
-      } else {
-        closedMessage.style.display = 'block'; // Show the closed message
-      }
-    })
-    .catch(error => {
-      // If the internet is down or script fails, fail gracefully by showing closed
-      loadingStatus.style.display = 'none';
-      closedMessage.style.display = 'block';
-    });
-
+  // Added the protective if-statement here!
+  if (loadingStatus && closedMessage && registrationContent) {
+    fetch(SCRIPT_URL)
+      .then(response => response.json())
+      .then(data => {
+        loadingStatus.style.display = 'none'; // Hide the spinner
+        
+        // Look at the B1 cell value from the Google Sheet
+        if (data.status === 'OPEN') {
+          registrationContent.style.display = 'block'; // Reveal the portal!
+        } else {
+          closedMessage.style.display = 'block'; // Show the closed message
+        }
+      })
+      .catch(error => {
+        console.error("Status check failed:", error); // Added this to clear the warning
+        // If the internet is down or script fails, fail gracefully by showing closed
+        loadingStatus.style.display = 'none';
+        closedMessage.style.display = 'block';
+      });
+  }
 
   // --- ELIGIBILITY LOGIC ---
   if (checkBtn && eligibilitySection && ineligibleMsg && mainForm) {
@@ -246,6 +249,7 @@ import '../styles/apply.scss';
         }
       })
       .catch(error => {
+        console.error("Form submission failed:", error); // Added this to clear the warning
         alert('A network error occurred. Please try again.');
         submitBtn.disabled = false;
         submitBtn.style.display = 'block';
diff --git a/src/styles/apply.scss b/src/styles/apply.scss
index ef2efd5..9ae094e 100644
--- a/src/styles/apply.scss
+++ b/src/styles/apply.scss
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
-@import './variables.scss';
+@use './variables.scss' as *;
+@use "sass:color"; /* Add this line! */
 
 .registration-section {
   padding-block: 8rem;
@@ -195,7 +196,9 @@
       transition: background-color 0.2s ease;
 
       &:hover {
-        background-color: darken($primary, 10%);
+        /* Old way: background-color: darken($primary, 10%); */
+        /* New way: */
+        background-color: color.adjust($primary, $lightness: -10%);
       }
     }
   }