I need some advice regarding petitioning for financial aid

Ok, so a little background. Around 2012, I was taking 3 firefighting courses. In one of the classes, a final involved taking a field trip to some mountain area to do a mock fire assessment. Unfortunately, I didn’t have anyone’s contact numbers and I was too shy to ask someone for a carpool and because the final was required to pass the class, I dropped it and got a W.

In another firefighting class, I was required to do a mock inspection in a building. The problem was the teacher laid out a guideline, listing which kind of buildings we were allowed to do and requirements we were supposed to check for. I was scared that I would not be able to find a building that would meet those requirements. The final was required to pass the class. By acting irrational and not wanting to discuss it with my teacher, I dropped the class. I only told him about it (though email) AFTER I dropped the class. He said he would be able to work it out with me if I undropped the class (I don’t think that was possible). It was too late. I dropped the class and received a W.

Then in 2015, I took an English 101 class. My English assessment told me I could take this class, so I did. Big mistake. In this class, I remember there was a 5 page essay assignment. Or 10 page. I don’t remember. Either way, it was a big assignment. Unfortunately, I made it past the deadline to drop without a W. I had serious doubts in my writing capability and was worried it would come out like crap. I also made a fatal mistake by not going to required writing workshops, where someone would review my paper and give me feedback, and we would be required to turn that in to the teacher. I missed out on the writing workshops. That, plus my doubts to produce good quality pages or work, I dropped my English 101 class and got a W.

And then, apparently I had added some graphics design class. I didn’t even realize that class was on my transcript until some years later when I looked at my SIS, went to the transcripts, and saw the class and I had received a W. I don’t even remember why I added that class or why it was on my transcript. And I don’t even remember attending that class or dropping it.

So, based on this information, I have received 4 W’s. And as a result, my financial aid is now disqualified.

I am trying to fill out the petition for reinstatement of financial aid. The problem is they want documentation that supports my statement. And they also want "documentation or proof that the circumstance has changed, resolved, or under control. "

So what do you think? Do you think I have a case here? If I were to make this petition, will they think that maybe I just didn’t take school serious enough and that that is not an excuse? I also want to mention that at the time of going to school, I didn’t have a job at the time so I was kinda tight on money, so I couldn’t pay for things like food at the school. In fact, I’m going to school right now and I don’t have a job at the moment, so money is really tight right now. Also, when I was going to school, I was kinda depressed and sad, sad because I didn’t have a job and was not happy with my situation. And I also didn’t know if school was really worth it. I don’t know if I can get documentation that proves I was depressed and sad and that it prevented me from doing well in school.

Here is the documentation you need:

You need to take some community college courses and pay pit of pocket for them. Get A grades if you can but certainly not lower than a B. Demonstrate to the college that you are actually capable of doing college level work AND that you can follow through on course requirements.

Then you will have a college transcript with some great grades to document that you can do the work.

Anything else you say is not going to prove anything.

Ok, so basically from what I can understand is, I am not in a good position to petition for anything right now until I can prove that I can do the work, prove that I am getting good grades, and prove that I am taking school seriously. Am I correct on that?

I’m hoping someone else will chime in…but that would be my guess.

What kind of school are you going to now? Do well. Complete all of the course requirements. Get a great grade.

@mommdc what do you think? @sybbie719 ?

It sounds like you are unwilling or unable to reach out for help when you need it. I agree with Thumper, you need to enroll in some CC classes and prove you can do the work.

You are going to school right now? Then you have a start at setting things right. Yes, you have to show you can do it before you get any more financial aid.

How are you paying for school if you’re not working? I agree with the posts above. You’re going to have to successfully complete enough courses to bring the percentage of completed courses high enough to qualify for aid. Make sure you contact your professors when you need help.

Actually, you need to get great grades in the courses you are taking. You then have a basis for a SAP appeal. Proof that you are now able to handle the college courses, and complete the requirements.

You might be successful at a SAP appeal with some successful courses under your belt…and you might not have to wait until your %age of completed courses is high enough.

So…stick to it.

Agree with all of the above. You need to do well in your current coursework and know when to approach your professors. Funding is not going to happen if you are not successful in your overall coursework.