Financial Aid Appeal Letter

Paying for College
1

<p>I was hoping I'd find someone who wouldn't mind reading over my financial aid appeal letter, and offering any suggestions or thoughts. Thanks!</p>

<p>I am writing this letter in regards to my financial aid dismissal due to unsatisfactory academic progress and to having taken more than 90 units. I am hoping that you will reconsider this decision in light of extenuating circumstances which interfered with my ability to be a successful college student.</p>

<p>For a number of years, I have suffered from alcoholism. It is a disease that runs strongly in my family. When I was younger I watched my older brother go through his own battle with alcoholism, never imagining that I myself would one day face the same disease. </p>

<p>As alcoholism is a progressive disease, for a time I was able to hold my life together. I got good grades all throughout high school and for the first few semesters of college. But eventually I could no longer keep up the pretense of normalcy. This is evidenced in the decline of my grades from a 3.25 GPA to a 0 GPA. Two years ago I was finally able to face up to my problem. I began attending meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous and have maintained my sobriety since. Over the course of those two years I have gone through a lot of changes. I have been able to hold down a steady job, repair relations with my family, and grow a network of friends who support me. </p>

<p>I did attempt to take a Geography course in Fall 2009, which I did not pass. I was very concerned by this and saw a counselor over the matter. He advised me that for a student coming back after an absence, it was important that I did not set myself up for failure by taking a difficult class in a short term format. I took his suggestions, and maintained a 3.5 GPA the following semester.</p>

<p>I realize that I am over the course limit for ____ College. However, I am pursuing a double major. I am currently only eighteen units away from obtaining the first degree, an Associate’s Degree in Social Science. Please see the attached educational plan for an outline of the courses I will be taking at ____ College.</p>

<p>In order to maintain a high level of academic progress next semester, I will be in frequent contact with both my sponsor within Alcoholics Anonymous, and a counselor at ___ College to make sure I am on the right track. I have also set up a study session once a week with a tutor. </p>

<p>It is through my own actions as a result of my disease that I derailed my path at ___ College as a successful student. However, I have hope today, and I believe that I deserve a second chance so that I can attain my goals and be a more productive member of society. </p>

<p>Thank you for your time.</p>

2

<p>Very nice layout and wording. Two things I did not like:
You mention saying you over the credit limit, yet say you wish for a double major…Maybe you should make smaller goals of getting the 18 credits for your first major, and then consider a second major. Think about which one is more important and go for it. </p>

<p>Also, remember that alcoholism has a disease is only a THEORY. See [Disease</a> theory of alcoholism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disease_theory_of_alcoholism]Disease”>Disease theory of alcoholism - Wikipedia)</p>

<p>The financial aid review panel may see you as just making excuses each time you say it is a disease. Personally (in my opinion), I would remove disease from the letter. Instead of “It is a disease that runs strongly in my family.” I would say “It is a weakness that has been evident through numerous generations.”</p>

3

<p>I’m aware of the controversy over the disease label amongst some circles. However, it is accepted by the World Health Organization, the AMA, and the APA. That’s good enough for me. Thanks for taking the time to read it.</p>