<p>My financial aid has been suspended because I fail to meet my university's 67% SAP guidelines. I have put together an appeal and I was wondering if anyone could tell me if I have valid reasoning. </p>
<p>My reasons for dropping so many classes, as stated in my appeal, are: the loss of my great-grandmother(a member of my household), the loss of my uncle, the loss of other relatives, emotional abuse from my mother, and displacement from home. </p>
<p>I have documentation of my eviction from my apartment. I worked two jobs(40 hours a week total) and was still unable to cover rent. </p>
<p>I have a letter from my pastor affirming my hardships as well. I sought counsel from him during my difficult situations. I also have a letter of witness of my hardships from a co-worker(is this an acceptable third party?).</p>
<p>I am a first generation college student and I don't want to leave school. Is there any hope for me or is my case fairly weak? </p>
<p>Any and all help will be appreciated! Thank you so much! I plan on turning in my appeal today and wanted to know what to expect beforehand!</p>
<p>I would not include the loss of uncle and other relatives. Every student in the US loses some relative while in college, yet they don’t fail school. </p>
<p>Even the loss of a great-grand isn’t likely going to move anyone…even if she was a member of the household. Those are losses, but they’re not the type that causes students to become so emotionally upset for periods of time that they can’t function at school. There are kids who lose parents, spouses, children, yet they don’t flunk out of school. </p>
<p>the displacement from your home may have some infuence.</p>
<p>Are these cases not looked at in an individual basis? I am not the student that handles grief well. How long is too long to grieve, ya know? These things are not quantifiable! Thank you so much for your help! You probably have more insight on how the people on the board think! :)</p>
<p>I don’t think co-workers’ statements, however true and well-intentioned, would be acceptable in this situation. Your pastor would be good, as would physicians and mental health professionals with whom you have been working through all of these issues for an extended period of time. </p>
<p>If your pastor is the only person who helped you during this time, it’s a little tricky, because he/she wouldn’t have medical records showing that you were seeking counsel for this extended period of time. </p>
<p>If you have an issue with grief, maybe involving a mental health professional is a good idea, not just for your appeal, but for your actual life success going forward.</p>
<p>Maybe you could consider taking a leave of absence, getting counseling, and then forwarding the counselor’s dated session notes for reconsideration in the spring semester. </p>
<p>If this was really all that tough on you, a little break to build yourself up wouldn’t be the worst thing that happens to you in life. Good luck with your appeal!</p>
<p>^^^^^I agree with Mom and 2016: The appeal board may look at your letter and state something like: we’re doing this person a favor by not reinstating him because, emotionally, he is not ready to continue at a university. </p>
<p>I have a friend on an Adcom for grad students/med at UCSD; she states that a number of the students, who apply and get in, have the ability to OVERCOME significant adversity and tragedy. I’m assuming most Adcom’s are like this.</p>
<p>Focus on the inability to maintain your residence in conjunction with seeking free counseling services on family issues.</p>