Why can't I donate plasma?

This is very convoluted so stick with me on this one.

I was born in Germany in 1991, and for years was told that I couldn't donate because of the mad cow scare (Creutzfeldt-jakob). But, recently after volunteering at a blood drive, I talked to a few of the attendants and we read the fine print on the "lived in Europe" section and found out I could donate
-- not eligible to donate living in northern Europe between 1986-1990, and southern Europe between 1991-1996--
Since Germany is considered northern Europe, I was eligible to donate. Since I was eligible to donate, I found out that I could sell my plasma for a pretty penny (being a college student who works for university housing, I only make $150ish a month). So I go in today and find out that I can't donate at all from living in Europe at that time. I am apparently a high-risk person for Creutzfeldt-jakob disease. Needless to say I was very disappointed at the loss of the regular money intake I would have received. My question is, I was eligible to donate my blood, why not my plasma? Since I was denied for so long before we read the fine print, is it worth going back to see if there are any specifications that might allow me to sell?