I was recently informed that I have not met satisfactory academic performance requirements at my university. Therefore, I am not eligible for financial aid in the future. I am planning to appeal this though as I do wish to go back to school and finish my degree. I understand the appeal process and what to do. But my question is, how much of a chance is there that my case will be accepted? Little bit of background- I have clinical depression and my symptoms made it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to go to class and complete school work. I didn’t go to class for a month. I thought I could fix my grades, but I couldn’t so I went to the school counseling center to get help. By that point my grades were unsalvageable, so I withdrew from the university. In my appeal, I identified what my problems were and how I was going to fix them. The only thing that makes me nervous is how I took so long to reach out for help. I feel like this might look irresponsible even though I explained what I have since learned and improved on and plan on changing if I return to school. Oh, also I am able to provide documentation from my doctor confirming my diagnoses. I don’t know if this helps, but the requirement I am not meeting is successful completion of courses attempted. I have successfully completed 63%. I need to have completed 67%. I have met all other requirements. I have a 3.0 GPA, and I was enrolled in my schools honors program, until now. Has anyone else been in a similar situation?
Are you seeing a psychiatrist? I think that is the first person that I would discuss this with. They might be able to hep in some way (I am not sure, I just think that it is worth asking). I do know of one case in the past where a psychiatrist offered to help in a vaguely similar situation (not quite the identical situation).
I would appeal after talking to your psychiatrist.
“The only thing that makes me nervous is how I took so long to reach out for help.”
This is very common. The psychiatrist at least will understand this. Depression itself is also very common. The medical profession has gotten a lot better over the years in dealing with this.
Also, getting yourself well and on track is job number 1. Hopefully your university will give you time to do this, but if not then there will be other opportunities once you have yourself on track. I have seen some amazing turnarounds and expect you to be another. Good luck with this.
I am a psychiatrist and I don’t understand this, at least to a degree. Nevertheless, your situation is too common. I understand that with depression you might feel low energy and low motivation. But at the same time you volunteered for a 4 year experience at college which requires attendance at class and completion of work. As soon as you start skipping class without an excuse or do not complete assignments on time you are responsible for it. That is the time to address the issue and/or seek out help. Thinking “I could fix my grades” implies that you guesstimated that you could get by on the skin of your teeth with much less effort than the average peer, when in fact the situation required more effort due to the obstacle of depression. Serial miscalculations in the absence of seeking support in a college environment when support is almost pathologically available is not the best situation in which to ask for an appeal. Not trying to be difficult, just describing a version of the situation.
The best you can do at this point is to do your best effort and plead your case realizing (in the case of financial aid) that you are asking others to risk their own money on your record. But you should have a plan B in terms of a less expensive alternative for completing your education.
I don’t think depression necessarily prevents people from realizing they need to do something, but I do think it can immobilize them so that they don’t have the mental or physical energy to actually figure out what that something is and do it. I think your situation is common because it seems to be an effect of the depression. We see it a lot here. I think it’s great that you were was able to get an appropriate diagnosis and I agree with Dadtwogirls that getting healthy is the most important step.
If the appeal works out, identify sources of help – doctors, the tutoring center, professor office hours – and use them. If not, create an alternate plan. Can you take classes at a cc for a year then transfer back in? Find out what your options are and make a plan to keep moving forward. Good for you for even seeking out help. Not everyone does.
I don’t know much about appeals, but if you got school aid, it might work.
I don’t know if an appeal would change your eligibility for federal or state grants.
If you withdrew, even with a medical withdrawal, I think the completion rate is still affected. So if the completion rate wasn’t met, not sure if the school can do anything.
Definitely find out your options as far as regaining aid.
The most important thing right now is getting your depression managed.
Then maybe you can pay for a few community college classes yourself and be able to raise your completion rate back into compliance. Ask your school’s FA office how that works.
@kelsmom, any advice?
Whether or not the appeal will be granted varies by school - there is no way anyone can predict what your school will do. Some take a harder line than others. Once your appeal is adjudicated, if the response is no aid, post again & we can help you with ideas. In the meantime, submit your appeal. It’s important to understand that you have no control at this time … so worry is something you need to put on the shelf.
Given that you have identified the problem and laid out a plan for addressing it, I believe your appeal should have a decent shot at acceptance.
You should appeal if you realistically think that you will be successful next year. They may or may not grant your appeal. Plan B would be to move home and take some classes at a local CC to show that you have your depression under control.