My first SAP form was rejected for the following reasons:
"1. Your appeal did not explain with dates/time frames the unforeseen extenuating circumstances that prevented you from being successful during the Summer 2020 term. Your appeal needs to explain why you did not withdraw before receiving “F’s” for both B term classes and why you chose to enroll in the D term class and received a “FN’s”. You must provide dates and time frames for each term.
- The appeal lacked a plan of action for future academic success; as it did not provide at least one academically related change or action step you will make going forward to succeed academically. Additionally, the plan of action should include an explanation of how the issues you were experiencing have now been resolved."
I have written a new form in order to try and incorporate this feedback. I am not sure whether I have done a good enough job to possibly get it approved. Here is the new form:
“As I said in my last appeal, I am deeply sorry for my regrettable performance and I am ready to improve it. I will explain the circumstances that lead to my poor academic performance. I have been in therapy for most of my life because of the early deaths of both of my parents and the emotional abuse that occurred in the various families that took in me and my siblings. In August of 2019, I moved to Lynchburg to transfer to Liberty, and my insurance plan no longer covered therapy because I was not in my home state. My financial situation did not allow for me to pay for therapy out of pocket, so I stopped going. My depression were being managed in some aspects by medication, but not in others. The medicine helped with my feelings of sadness and crying spells, but did nothing to treat the anhedonia and exhaustion. I was running on empty and my fear of failure wasn’t enough to motivate me anymore. I also was facing the increasing difficulty of my courses and was overwhelmed by it. I had the energy to submit a few assignments, but it was not enough. I hoped I had submitted enough assignments in the two online courses to pass and was honestly too afraid to check whether I had. In the past it had gotten me through by the skin of my teeth, so I actually thought I had passed until a few days before I received my notice of financial aid suspension. I determined to do better in the D term, but I did not have and/or know of resources at the time that would help me. I was planning on submitting my assignments late, but I lost track of time, and before I knew it, I had received an FN for the class.
After I received the FN for the class (in August of the current year), I was finally able to secure enough hours at my two jobs to pay for therapy. A few weeks after that, after researching how to get a new insurance plan without paying a crazy premium, I checked my eligibility for Medicaid and then was successfully enrolled in it. I hadn’t known before that I might’ve qualified for it or I would have done it sooner.
I also contacted my psychiatrist, who put me on a new medication in order to better combat my symptoms.
I will use CASAS’s resources of tutoring, academic counseling, and study skills help in order to increase my academic performance. I am dedicating more of my time to studying and working on developing better study habits. With the support of these resources as well as my therapist and psychiatrist, I will perform better this term. I no longer lack the knowledge of my resources or support from others.”
Thank you for reading all of this. I am eager to hear any constructive criticism.