My FFinancial Aid appeal letter (comments please)

<p>To: The Independent Financial-Aid/Academic Committee</p>

<p>My name is xxxx xxxx and I am a current student at xxx xxxx in xxxxxx, Indiana. I’m submitting this letter in hopes that you will reconsider my Financial-Aid Termination for the fall 2010 semester. Before I begin to present my reasons for appeal, I would like to first thank you for taking the time and effort to read this letter and taking it into consideration before making a final decision.</p>

<p>I have also enclosed a statement from my doctor, as well as my complete medical records from April of this year until the present. I believe this will show clearly that my recent medical conditions have partly contributed to my academic problems. I understand that ultimately it is my responsibility alone to maintain sufficient academic standards regardless of my recent health problems. </p>

<p>Along with my medical conditions, I would just like to briefly mention that I had been out of school for about 17 years before enrolling at xxx xxxx and have had somewhat of a difficult time getting readjusting into taking classes again. I readily admit that I underestimated the time and effort it takes to attain good grades in college.</p>

<p>Looking towards my academic future, I cite the following factors as to why I am confident that I will get my grades up:</p>

<p>1- I am feeling better physically than I have in about a year and believe that my improved health will definitely help me academically as I don’t feel as fatigued as I have previously. I have improved my diet and exercise regimen as recommended by my doctor and have dropped about 30 pounds since beginning taking classes in January of 2010.
2- Now that I’ve completed two semesters of class and earned 16 credits (admittedly with poor grades), I feel that I have become better adjusted to school and have a greater respect for the difficulty of the curriculum after the long layoff from high school. I am also learning to manage my time better than I had previously.
3- Towards the end of the summer semester, I realized how beneficial it was for me to be more willing to contact my professor to ask questions and interacting with classmates instead of simply relying on my own instincts all the time.
4- I plan to sit down with my academic advisor in the near future to discuss the difficulties I’ve had these first two semesters and ask for guidance and suggestions as I continue to pursue the path towards my degree. </p>

<p>I understand that regardless of my medical (health) problems and adjustment difficulties I’ve had the past year, I am in the position I am at the moment because of me not getting the job done. If not for receiving financial aid, college wouldn’t be possible for me right now and I wouldn’t have much of a future to be optimistic about. Before beginning classes, about the only thing that kept me going day to day was my wife and my son. Even though my grades have been poor, the fact that I’m earning credits towards a degree gives me the hope of finding a good paying, more satisfying job than the many entry level positions I’ve worked the past 20 years.</p>

<p>I am well aware that if I am granted another chance, that there will be conditions I will have to meet and goals I’ll need to accomplish to get myself back in good standing. I understand I am accountable for making the grade, and that’s what I plan to do.</p>

<p>In closing, I would like to apologize for not submitting an appeal earlier, as I just found out today (the 25th) that I was on suspension instead of probation, as my status according to Campus Connect was listed as 1st probation. I contacted the Financial Aid Dept. because my grant wasn't posted by the beginning of class, and was then informed that I was under suspension. Then, I take it someone in the office then posted it manually and put down Aug 9th as the day I was informed of my suspension, as I noticed the change when logging into Campus Connect afterwards. </p>

<p>Again, thank you again for hearing me out and I will accept your decision as final. </p>

<p>Sincerely,</p>

<p>xxxx xxxx</p>

<p>I am not an adcom nor a FA officer, but my gut reaction to this letter would be to deny the request. You seem like a nice, loving guy. But I do not see enough proof-of-potential or real change to guarantee success (from the perspective of putting government money on the line and lifting the suspension).</p>

<p>So, for all <em>I</em> know, this is a great, sincere letter. For all <em>I</em> know, this will be perfect and get your suspension lifted. However you asked for feedback…so from a layman’s perspective a few things stuck out…</p>

<p>“I plan to sit down with my academic advisor in the near future to discuss the difficulties I’ve had these first two semesters and ask for guidance and suggestions as I continue to pursue the path towards my degree.”</p>

<p>I am a bit disturbed that this is still in the <em>future</em>. It is a great idea, but it hasn’t been executed upon yet. That doesn’t sit well with me. Just go do it so you can write positively about it rather than speculate about it.</p>

<p>“Towards the end of the summer semester, I realized how beneficial it was for me to be more willing to contact my professor to ask questions and interacting with classmates instead of simply relying on my own instincts all the time.”</p>

<p>Again, another great insight. BUT, only realized a few weeks ago? And no time to actually practice new communcation levels with professors? It is just not strong evidence. Love the insight, a bit skeptical in a broad way (esp combined with my prior comment) if this will be followed through. Again, go do this kind of communication rather than speculate about it.</p>

<p>Your letter overall would be stronger if you could point out actual efforts made rather than speculation. Have met/hired a private XYZ tutor. Have met with advisor. Have been tested or matched with the college’s tutoring/support system. Have shifted/changed something about your study/work schedule.</p>

<p>In many ways, you have not pinpointed what <em>exactly</em> went wrong and what <em>exactly</em> is in place that is different. Lost weight and some general insights are a good start… but as a layman, I would be more impressed with a frank discussion about what didn’t work and how it is now fixed. </p>

<p>Good luck. If for some reason the appeal doesn’t work, dig up the money to take ONE class and then ace it. It will go a LONG way to helping you appeal in the future because it will then be some concrete proof that you are on the right track.</p>

<p>I would shorten the letter big time. FA officers are busy and don’t want to read too much. They may just round file it because it takes too long to read.</p>

<p>You might want to try your question in this forum, if applicable.</p>

<p>[Ivy</a> Tech Community College Discussion :: View Forum - General](<a href=“http://wwwapps.ivytech.edu/phpbb/viewforum.php?f=7]Ivy”>http://wwwapps.ivytech.edu/phpbb/viewforum.php?f=7)</p>

<p>I agree with shortening it. I would recommend the final letter to be 1/2 the word count of the current letter.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>