To whom it may concern,
My name is XX and I started my first year at XX in the fall of 2014. During my time here, I faced some personal circumstances that have not only affected my success, but goals as a student. I take full responsibility for my lack of academic performance, but I truly believe I can get myself back on track. I would sincerely like to ask for a second chance.
During both my fall and spring semester here, I have been involved with Child Protective Services and both the XX and XX Police Department concerning an investigation on a sexual assault I experienced. Much of my attention and time was focused upon the case. I was subpoenaed to testify in court in early January of this year. I thought I would not have to deal with the court case anymore thereafter so I thought I could take on this past Spring semester. However, the case was then taken to the District Attorney from there. During this time, I have struggled to cope with the incident. Being interviewed by detectives and social workers while the investigation was in place made it difficult for me when I was trying to be resilient and move on.
Despite many sympathetic professors and mentors, I fell apart. I struggled to keep myself together. Now that the investigation is over, I believe I can put it behind me and truly focus on what matters to me, which are my academics. I have been able to collect myself and finally get the support I need. I plan on continuing to utilize our school’s Counseling Center during the rest of the summer and throughout my future semesters here. I have also took to the Rape Crisis Intervention and Prevention Center here in XX for further support.
I am really looking forward to this upcoming semester and making some positive growth in my life and academics. However, I will not be able to afford to do so without financial aid. I have attached a letter from a counselor who knows the situation and that I have talked in detail with about this matter. I have also included documentation from Child Protective Services and both police departments from their investigation. I appreciate your time and consideration of my appeal. If given the opportunity, I pledge to improve my grades and show my full potential as a student here at XX.