Financial Aid Suspension Appeal?

<p>For the upcoming school year my financial aid has been suspended. I am writing an appeal and I would like feedback. I would also like to know whether or not it is likely my appeal will be approved. Also, I have to list what steps I have taken to fix my situation. Please give suggestions for that if you have any.</p>

<p>To Whom It May Concern,</p>

<p>I am writing to appeal my suspension of financial aid for the 2013-2014 school year. My performance during my freshmen year of college was unsatisfactory and resulted in me obtaining a 1.947 GPA. I began college as a pre-nursing major because that is what I truly believed that I wanted. As the year progressed I wasn’t enjoying my classes that went along with nursing. I also began to feel guilty for being away from home since I am the oldest child and helped my parents out when I lived at home. In September my puppy back home suddenly passed away, which contributed to my guilt of being away. I knew I wasn’t doing well at this point and was happy to be headed home for Thanksgiving. I hoped that being back home with my family would help me decide what I needed do in terms of not having a good experience and possibly changing major. On Thanksgiving morning my Papaw passed away suddenly after a long battle with heart disease. The death of my grandfather was a traumatic experience for many reasons. His death combined with being unhappy with my major and being away from home, took a toll on me. I finished my first semester with a GPA of 1.462. I was extremely disappointed in myself as a person who maintained a 3.0 GPA, while being very involved in high school. At this point I decided that I needed to change my change my major, but was informed by my advisor that I could not due to my low GPA. I decided to focus on my core classes until I was able to formally switch to something I would enjoy. I was doing well in my second semester until I hit yet another road block. After missing classes for a week, I went to the dentist and was informed that all four of my wisdom teeth were impacted and needed to be removed as soon as possible. I had to wait two weeks until the surgery. Two of my professors recommended that I withdraw from their classes since I had missed so much due to my surgery and the time leading up to. I followed their advice so that I could avoid academic suspension, but it unfortunately jeopardized my financial aid. I finished my last semester with a 3.0 GPA and a cumulative of 1.947.
I have taken several steps to remedy my situation. These include…
In order to prevent myself from being in this situation again I have a list of steps I will take in order to improve next school year.
- I will change my major to communications
- I will attend professors office hours when I feel behind, have a question, or need help
- I will utilize campus resources, such as The Study, the writing center, and class study groups
- I will develop a schedule to allow me to manage my time effectively and allow adequate study time
- I will take advantage of extra credit opportunities offered
- I will attend and participate in all classes
- I will speak to professors about my grade in order to stay on track
I would like to thank you for your time and ask that you strongly consider my appeal. Despite all the roadblocks that I faced during the past year, I take full responsibility for my grades. If I am given another chance I vow to follow all the steps that I have listed above, bring my GPA to the required level, and raise myself to university standards. Thank you again for your time.</p>

<p>Sincerely,</p>

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<p>I am also attaching proof of my oral surgery and of my grandfathers death.
A friend suggested that I remove the part about my dog, should I?</p>

<p>I really need advice on this! I know I screwed up, but without my aid I cannot go to school. I truly believe that with the change in my major I can do better, much better.</p>