Financial Appeal Letter? Chances? suggestions?

Paying for College
1

<p>Hello everyone,</p>

<p>This is my dilemma. I will start by saying that I was denied Fin Aid, but not because of bad grades, but because of : SAP Academic Progress hold (150% rule hours > 89) on account and must file an appeal to receive aid.</p>

<p>My grades are not bad at all, I made the Dean's list the last 3 semesters, and my GPA is good (currently 3.75). My issue was that on my first semester I went to another school (School A) , and they "required" certain classes to graduate, which included things such as "Intro to assessment and evaluation" a class that was 4 credits worth, and that only that school has and 3 more "worthless" classes I was told I was supposed to take to graduate. (I got straight As that semester)</p>

<p>I switched to School B on my first year, a CC due to costs, and also discovered another major where I fit MUCH better, and started to work towards that. Currently, I just need 3 classes to graduate.</p>

<p>Sadly, I was denied Fin Aid because of the over credits, and I really need it. I was laid off from work a month 1/2 ago (office went bankrupt) and I really have no way to pay for school. I am 21 and a dependent, and my mom is a single mom and she makes around 25k a year, so I helped to pay some bills and part of our rent, our EFC came out to be 309.00. My mom had to have emergency surgery, so all of our savings went to that. I had to sell my car because I could not afford it anymore. So, I am on a tight spot financially. </p>

<p>I'm really really dedicated to school, as my grades would reflect. I just need some guidance as to how to word my Financial Aid Appeal statement. What would you suggest I include on it? Should I include my financial hardship?What should I NOT include?</p>

<p>Would stating that I switched m major, and school and that School A had me take classes that as only needed for that school?</p>

<p>Do you think I have enough "reason" to be granted financial aid? Is there a chance I would be approved?</p>

<p>I appreciate any suggestion, I really really need this.</p>

2

<p>Bum,p - Just looking for suggestions on what to include on an appeal letter that does not involve academic probation.</p>

3

<p>The only things relevant to an appeal letter are special circumstances which prevented you from meeting the SAP requirements. If you reasonably believed you would be required to take all the courses you did, that’s relevant, and may get your appeal accepted. Your financial troubles are sad, but not relevant to the SAP requirements, so they won’t help you out very much.</p>

4

<p>If I’m reading this correctly and you only “wasted” one semester at school A, and have been proceeding toward the new major since you started at school B, how did you end up at 150% already?</p>

<p>In any case, I agree that the financial details are not relevant here. Just explain how you wound up in your current SAP situation, and definitely include the fact that you only need 3 more classes to graduate.</p>

5

<p>Thanks so much for your answers! I really appreciate it!</p>

<p>@mathmomvt I did 5 classes Spring semester, and 5 classes on the summer semester towards my first major. :x I took the classes my adviser suggested, while looking at my transcripts, so I really never expected this to happen! :(</p>

<p>Thank you SO much for your input. :slight_smile: It was so much more helpful than the advice I got from my school! (I’m serious)</p>

6

<p>Also, do withdrawn classes count towards your hours?</p>

7

<p>^^ Look at your school’s rules but, yes, withdrawn classes usually count.</p>

8

<p>How many credits are required for your degree? They are triggering SAP on the basis of 60 credits, but if you actually need more than that based on the actual courses available to fill the requirements, then that might bump up the level where 150% gets triggered.</p>

9

<p>Go to an academic advisor at school. The two of you should come up with a plan for the classes you will take to complete your degree; get the plan in writing, with the advisor’s signature. Write a letter explaining what happened that put you over in credits. Explain that you are only 3 courses shy of the degree, and commit to sticking to the academic plan. Submit the letter and the plan, along with any other requirements your school has for a SAP appeal.</p>

10

<p>Thank you very much evryone!! I am actually heading out to an appt. with my advisor. </p>

<p>I have a couple of questions…</p>

<p>When I got the 150% message on my email I immediately went to my financial aid advisor at school. He said not to worry, and gave me a very simple form and told me to write a statement as to why on the lines provided adn to sign it (I did).I inquired if a typed out letter would be better and I suggested I would do one, and if I could attach a copy of my transcripts. He said there was no need and to not worry, that there was a very high chance I would get my appeal approved.</p>

<p>I thought to myself that it seemed too informal, so I came home and researched it myself and sure enough it says that if a transcript, and other documents are not included the appeal was automatically denied. </p>

<p>My appeal (the sheet of paper he told me to fill out on his office) has not been viewed yet. I know it’s my responsibility to know these things, but I thought he was guiding me well, and I foolishly did what he told me. He is the only fin advisor for the entire school.</p>

<p>I have heard horror stories of other students that have been “screwed” because of his incompetence. I myself almost lost a scholarship I earned this semester because he lost he documents he needed to submit on his end.</p>

<p>My actual appeal ( the one I was working on when I posted this) contains a nice, proof read formal letter, the transcript and other supporting documents.</p>

<p>I was really really ignorant on what to do, I know its my fault for listening to him, but this had never happened to me before.</p>

<p>If I get denied because of that paper I filled out, would they look at my actual appeal? </p>

<p>What should I do? :(</p>

<p>Also, my school has the option of handing the appeal online or sending it through regular mail. Which option do you think would be better? I was suggested to do both, to ensure they get it, but I am unsure.</p>

<p>… Than you for your suggestions</p>

11

<p>I am sorry that you are having issues with the aid officer. As you probably now know, it is SO important to always keep copies of anything you submit … things do get lost in busy finaid offices, and you may need to re-submit. </p>

<p>I suggest you both email and mail your information. I sympathize with you, because it makes sense that you thought you had the correct information. Make sure you include everything that you now know you need, and just move forward. I do believe that you have a good chance of having your appeal approved, but nothing is 100%. Best wishes.</p>

12

<p>Thank you so much kelsmom! I was afraid they would say something like . “you already applied before, so nope.” since I stupidly submitted that sheet of paper. You are absolutely right, I am so so so close to my degree there is no sense on giving up now! :slight_smile: At least I know so much better now! </p>

<p>Thank you for your advice, I’m the only one on my family that has gone to college, so issues relating to school no matter how small, or big seem HUGE to me haha! Also, I have a couple of job interviews, so if worst happens then I will try to figure out a payment plan with the school, or look into other options.</p>

<p>I feel tons better now that I see clearly and know what to do, thank you so so much!</p>