<p>Okay so this is lengthy but I really need the help. I have basically decided that I am going to try and appeal my financial aid disqualification. It is not officially on my record yet, but I fell below the minimum credit load because I flunked algebra (really bad at math) and am below 70%. That said, I think I have a good explanation and i heard from other students that my rasoning is good and that I should be accepted (90% acceptance rate is what I've heard). Really need this or I can't attend college so let me know how it looks. Feel free to be a grammar nut and edit whatever. Also, any advice regarding well...anything would be greatly appreciated. Know that I will also be sending the original ER visit summary of the night I was diagnosed with anxiety as well as a statement from my primary physician. The worst of this took place over the span of a month...I was pursuing engineering and am now in Criminal Justice if anyone is wondering.</p>
<p>Dear Financial Aid Office,
My name is ________ and I am hoping that through the reading of this letter you will reconsider your decision and allow the continuation of my financial aid. First off, I want to say thank you for taking the time to read my letter and for allowing me to attend _____ this year. It has been a truly great experience for me and I would love to continue my education here. I would also like to formally apologize regarding my academics in 2014, I take full responsibility for what happened. That being said, I would like to explain some of the circumstances behind what happened this semester.
During the fall and spring semesters of 2013-2014 I was dealing with some troubling issues. These were beyond my control at the time and contributed to my inability to meet SAP requirements. Most of these are health issues that stem from an underlying anxiety disorder which did not get formally addressed until it brought me to the ER on several occasions in the spring semester.
With my first semester at _<strong><em>, I was thrown into an unfamiliar workload and had little idea of where I wanted to go. I was just following a path that had been suggested for me. The uncertainty and instability built up over time leading to chronic migraines throughout the course of my first semester. This was likely the initial trigger to my anxiety. This continued into my spring semester where my symptoms began to significantly impact me physically far beyond that of the first semester eventually pushing me to seek medical attention trying to determine the issue. The symptoms at this point were chest heaviness, migraines, insomnia, and at times an inability to solid food. At this point I was avidly trying to seek out help to figure out my problems. In doing so, I lost the time to attend classes and study as I had before. It was not until after seeing numerous doctors, going through unfruitful testing, and some scary ER visits that one of the ER doctors went ahead and tried an anti-anxiety medication on me. It is called Xanax and within hours of taking this medication my chest pain was gone and the other symptoms began to fade as well. This medication had cured my symptoms so I finally understood that anxiety was the root of my problems. Since the discovery of my underlying anxiety, I have been able to treat my symptoms and move forward in the achievement of my goals in many ways.
In order to achieve my goals and ensure I am able to meet SAP requirements I have formulated the following plan. First and foremost, I am going to make sure my symptoms are managed so that they will no longer interfere with my academic studies. I will do this through medication and by seeking help right when I need it. Currently I am taking a medication called Buspirone. This is my long term anti-anxiety medication which I take daily to keep my symptoms under control. I also have been prescribed Xanax for more immediate relief. This is fast acting and would enable me to function normally if there was a day where my other medication did not cut it. A second and equally as important thing that I will be doing is seeking out counseling from the university. This will serve two purposes. First, I will become more informed about myself and learn how to better deal with my anxiety. This will provide me with another way to deal with my symptoms in a way that is non-medical. At the same time I am also going to get counseling on my study skills so that I can better myself as a student. Having become aware that my strengths do not lie in math/science, I am no longer pursuing these areas. I know that I am not where I should be in regards to academics and counseling would be a way to improve that along with my study skills. Furthermore, I will keep a physical record of these visits and present them at the end of the semester to demonstrate my progress and prove that I am keeping my word. Through the management of my symptoms, bettering myself as a student, and pursuing coursework that plays on my strengths, I know that I will be able to meet SAP requirements without difficulty in the future.
For all the reasons listed above I ask that (university name) reconsider its decision and reinstate my financial aid. I understand the importance of education and I want to graduate so I can have a successful career. On my own I do not possess the funds or resources necessary to attain these things, so without the help of financial aid I will not be able to attend _</em></strong> in the fall. Again, I take full responsibility for what has happened and I am taking the necessary steps to ensure that it will never happen again.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
My name here</p>