How does it sound? And is it too long?
Dear Appeal Committee,
I fully understand your reasoning behind my denial for financial aid. At the time of my request, my GPA did not meet the standards set by XXX. I am writing this appeal in order to thoroughly explain the circumstances that led up to my current academic status. I would like to ask you to please reconsider granting me financial aid.
From my senior year of high school on through the 2014-2015 school years, I have had many complications involving my family life. The animosity and tension building in my household reached its peak my senior year of high school; I had no choice but to abruptly move out of my childhood home. Even after my departure from their home, my mother and step-father continued to put strain on me emotionally as well as mentally. At one point, communication between us was minimal if not non-existent. On the other hand, I had my biological father who could go weeks, sometimes months, without speaking a word to me. He made minimal contributions while I attended high school as well as college. All of these factors put a hold on my emotional and mental states.
I thought that going off to college would help me to leave all of this disappointment behind, but I was unable to shake my past. All these factors contributed to a college transition that was overwhelmingly unbearable. The stress and adjustment made it difficult to pay attention in new settings of a college class. When the time came to study I found myself pondering over the turmoil in my family instead of pondering over my studies. Although I was fully aware of XXXs group programs, whether they were for emotional issues or for tutoring, I found myself not wishing to partake in them. I did not want people knowing about the brokenness in my personal life or about the struggle with maintaining a higher GPA. I was feeling loneliness, embarrassment, as well as shame and it showed in my academic performance.
After finally coming to terms with my previous mindset and apprehensions with my relationships, I now realize that I have an incredible opportunity to be a part of XXX’s student body. I now truly believe that, through hard work and dedication, I can actually do something meaningful with my life. To get to that stage, I have to understand where I have faltered. Although I cannot change the mistakes I made in my first year of college, I can at least start atoning for them now by consciously making the decision to stay focused and apply myself. I now understand that tutors, study sessions, and group programs are not there to shame me, but instead are there to help me succeed. In setting aside my previous mindset, I know that I will be able to appreciate and take advantage of all the programs and sessions that XXX has to offer.
I am fully aware that financial aid is a privilege, not a right. I understand that without financial aid, I will essentially be putting myself through college. Keeping that in mind, I am storing up finances in any ways that I can. I live in the very small town of Oakwood, TX so I have been doing odd jobs or manual labor for family and friends in order to save up money. Currently, I have a job position open for me in XXX. Upon return to XXX, perhaps I will have a more reliable means of building funds towards my college expenses. However without financial aid, even with a steady paying job, I will still not have the funds necessary to continue my education at XXX.
I thank you for kindly taking the time to read my appeal letter and I hope you will reconsider granting me financial aid.
Sincerely,
XXX