<p>Hi. I'm new to this board and was looking for advice on how to combat the maximum timeframe limit for my degree program. I wrote a preliminary letter (included below) which I will be attaching to my appeal application. I was hoping the members of the board could could give me some constructive feedback on what I've written so far</p>
<p>Dear [name]</p>
<p>The purpose of this letter is to formally request an extension of my financial aid eligibility beyond the maximum time frame by one term. Before I begin I’d like to thank the college for reinstating me as a student in winter 2013. I have thoroughly enjoyed my return to academia and am now very close to obtaining my transfer degree which will allow me to advance my education further at the University of Oregon.</p>
<p>While my return to college for the most part has been going extremely well, my academic performance last term was affected by extenuating circumstances beyond my ability to control at the time. Midway through the term I became ill and missed a week and a half of class. When I was well enough to return to class my housemate suffered a complete nervous breakdown and I had to remove her from my home. As this came completely without warning, I was suddenly saddled with all the rent and utility expenses for my apartment, which forced me to seek part time employment to keep a roof over my head. I tried to stay caught up with my coursework, but found myself falling farther and farther behind in my studies. I tried to refocus my goals to just passing my chemistry and math classes and thus completing my degree by the end of this term, but I was unable to catch up completely with my coursework and as a result did not pass Math 111, which was the final requirement for my degree. I even dropped my geometry class to try to free up what little time I had left, but between my illness and the rather extensive disruption to my personal life, I’m afraid that for this term, Murphy’s Law scored a victory over me.</p>
<p>If you look at my recent academic history, I think I have displayed a commitment to finish my education, and with the exception of this term have done very well in that regard. Unfortunately I will be at the maximum number of credits soon, and will need an extension both to retake Math 111 and Math 97, and to continue to the next course in my general chemistry sequence, which will serve as the hard science requirement for my bachelor’s degree. Upon writing this letter my living situation has since stabilized, and can focus again on making my education the first priority in my life. In addition to the commitment I’ve tried to demonstrate to my over the past year, I’d also like to point out that all other requirements for my AAOT degree and dual enrollment have been completed with the exception of my math requirement. I’m literally 5 credits away from my goal, and it is my sincere hope that an extension can be granted to me in order to accomplish this. I thank you very much for your time and will await your response.</p>
<p>If you could read the body of the letter I've enclosed in brackets above and give me some constructive feedback. There may be a duplicate thread in another forum.. Sorry about that.</p>