Review SAP Appeal Letter

<p>Hi I was wondering if someone could look over a rough draft of my SAP appeal letter. I know it's long and I'll have to cut it down, but I would just like someone to look over it to make sure that it looks good. I'd also appreciate any advice from anyone that's gone through this or is at least familiar with the appeal process</p>

<p>->SAP Appeal Criterion
-Complete and submit SAP Appeal form
-Include a statement explaining the reasons why SAP requirements weren't met
-Include a statement explaining what has changed so SAP requirements can be met</p>

<h2> -Provide documentation showing support for written statements</h2>

<p>Dear Financial Aid Appeals Committee,</p>

<pre><code> My name is XX and I am writing this letter in order to appeal the suspension of my financial aid for the Fall 2013 semester. I am aware that the reason for my suspension is because I did not meet the 67% completion rate SAP requirement for the 2012-2013 academic year.
</code></pre>

<p>The reasons why I failed to meet this SAP requirement were because I started a new, higher paying job on third shift and I was responsible for transporting my siblings to school. I started working my new job in March 2012, working an average of 32-40 hours a week to help cover school expenses. I was able to handle this fine until there was a change in the start time to a much later time at my brother's middle school and in my parents' schedules. My mother worked first shift and my step-father worked third shift; in addition to working third shift, my step-father was also attending classes at XX. The change to a later start time greatly affected everyone's schedule and since my siblings are enrolled in XX School District on open enrollment, we are responsible for providing transportation to and from school. Since this was my step-father's last year before graduation, I was asked to take my siblings to school so he could focus on completing his education.</p>

<p>I thought I could handle working full-time, attending school full-time, and helping my family, but eventually it got to be too overwhelming. I thought dropping a few classes would help alleviate some of the stress in my life, but constant demands from my job and family caused me to lose focus and not perform as well as I had in previous semesters.
I realize I made the mistake of putting my job and family ahead of my own academic priorities and lost track of my initial goal: finishing my degree Pre-Medicine and graduating within a reasonable time frame. However, without financial aid, I will not be able to continue attending XX. With that said, I have made a number of changes to ensure that I will have a successful academic year this time around.</p>

<pre><code> 1) I'm working fewer hours (~24 hours a week) and only on the weekends
2) My step-father should be completing his education this summer, so I will no longer be responsible for taking my siblings to school
3) Utilize XX's Tutoring Services, signing up 3 times a week for a minimum of 2 hours per session
4) Attend Supplemental Instruction sessions twice a week (if a tutor/SI sessions are not available, I will seek additional instruction in department help rooms)
5) Take advantage of instructor office hours and meet with professors at least once a week
6) Schedule progress meetings with my academic advisor at least twice a month
7) Utilize XX's Counselling and Wellness Services therapy sessions to learn how to cope with stress and time management

I would like to continue attending XX and pursue my degree as a Pre-Medicine major, however this will not be possible without financial aid. I understand the severity of losing my financial aid and take full responsibility for the actions that lead to the suspension of my aid. Thankfully I have come up with a plan that will help make sure that I stay on the right track and remain a successful student.
</code></pre>

<p>Thank you for your time and consideration,</p>

<p>[Signature]</p>

<hr>

<p>As proof/documentation, I'm including copies of my siblings open enrollment registration forms, a list of rules explaining transportation for open enrollment students, a list of last year's time changes for the middle school, copies of my pay stub documenting hours worked during the school year, and if I can get a hold of it a copy of my step-dad's class schedule from last year (though I'm not sure if it's important to include it).</p>

<p>Again this is just a really rough draft but I would appreciate any advice on how to improve my letter like what to add, take out, etc.</p>

<p>Thank you!</p>

<p>I’m not sure that the reason for not completing the 67% is exactly the kind of thing that might land you the appeal, but since that’s what happened, I think you’ve done the best you can with it here. Schools normally grant appeals only for very specific situations - illness, death in the family, etc.</p>

<p>That said, I think you have a very good plan for making things right this semester, and you seem sincere. Give it a whirl, and good luck!</p>

<p>Thanks for responding. I didn’t believe that these were valid reasons for an appeal but my academic advisor and financial aid advisor suggested that I write to appeal my suspension. I’m not sure if I should have included it in the letter, but the reason why I dropped those classes was because of a conflict in schedule. A majority if the classes that I registered for in fall 2012 were early morning classes ( the earliest was at 7:45 and another at 9:00 am). The start time at my brothers middle school was 9:05 am and I wasn’t informed that my stents needed me to take my siblings to school until the first day of my classes, so they sprung it on me at the last minute. So I had trouble accommodating leaving work at 7 am and picking up and dropping my siblings off some time around 9 am, while still trying to make it to class. I tried explaining to my professors my situation but I knew I couldn’t constantly excuse my being extremely late to class on family responsibilities (and actually for one class after 15 minutes you’re not allowed to be admitted into the room). So I thought it would be in my best interest to drop them. In hindsight I realize it was a dumb decision and I hurt myself more in the end but that’s the reality of it. </p>

<p>*i apologize for any typos I’m writing this on my phone</p>