<p>Thank you in advance everyone! I really really appreciate your time!</p>
<p>To the SAP Committee:</p>
<pre><code> My name is ____________ and I am currently a sophomore at _________. This letter is an appeal for my failure to meet the requirements in order to receive Financial Aid. My performance during Fall 2012 resulted in two withdrawals and one F grade, therefore dropping my grade point average to a 1.77. In this letter, I will explain the reasons for these unsatisfactory results.
My parents have been divorced since I was very young. I would occasionally see my father, but Ive lived most of my life with my mother, my grandparents, and my younger brother. My grandparents retired two years ago in 2010 and my mother gets paid minimum wage. The rent and bills were paid with part of my grandparents retirement money, most of my mothers paycheck, and strong help from my father. Our financial status was stable, so my brother and I were able to focus on our studies rather than search for employment. I started my freshmen year at ________ in Fall 2011 prepared, with strong determination and great enthusiasm towards education. I ended my freshmen year with satisfying results and a grade point average of 3.5. Unfortunately, the complications began during the summer after Spring 2012 semester.
My mother began receiving less than minimum wage due to fewer hours at work; my father got remarried and moved into a new home with his wife and her two children. Since my father gained more financial responsibility with a new home and a new family, he had no choice but to discontinue his financial help with our home. This situation forced my brother and I to spend our summer searching for employment in order to support our family. Living in a city where the majority of people are Latinos/Hispanics and being one of the only Asian-American families in our area, it was difficult to find employment without being able to speak Spanish. Because of this financial delay, my family is in debt with our landlord and was on the verge of becoming homeless.
When Fall 2012 semester came close, I registered for classes as full-time students. School started at the end of August and I was still unemployed. During mid-September, a friend of my mothers offered me a job as a part-time waitress where the owner would pay me under the table. The thought of my family struggling to find a place to live convinced me to not turn away from this opportunity; I immediately accepted the offer. I continued on the semester as a full-time student from Mondays to Thursdays and a part-time waitress from Fridays to Sundays. Even though, waitressing was the first job Ive ever had in my life, I managed to help my family and complete my schoolwork.
October arrived, my grandparents decided to leave the country due to the death of a family friend, leaving my mother and I responsible for the finances while they are away. I began to think that being only a part-time waitress was not enough, so my employer offers me a full-time job at the restaurant. Being the eldest child, I knew I had to take responsibility and help my mother anyway possible. I was prepared to accept the challenge of being a full-time student and a full-time worker.
As the semester went on, I found myself working more than I intended. I started missing assignments and a few class sessions, so I would send emails to fellow students asking for any assignments Ive missed on a specific day and theyve been very helpful. I tried my best to complete every assignment that was given. Realizing that my performance was starting to drop, I would ask for any extra credit assignments the professor may assign for me in order to increase my chances of passing the class. Unfortunately, my professors did not allow me to make up any missed assignments. The professors decision was understandable because it would not be fair to other students who attended every class session and every missed assignment was my own fault. I completely acknowledge my mistakes.
I am aware that my mistake was putting work before my education, and I take full responsibility for my actions. Although, my academic performance was unsatisfactory, I was able to help my mother stabilize our financial status once more and cleared our debt with the landlord. I understand that excuses are not tolerable, but I assure you that my actions were for good intentions to help my family. I have not given up on my education and I dont ever plan to. And since my eldest cousin from _______________ has recently moved into our home, she will continue to help with the finances, and I will no longer have to work. Therefore, I will be able to have complete focus on my studies and continue on my education. I never had trouble registering for classes in the past, I will continue to speak to an advisor about my future plans, and I will continue to give my best performance towards education.
I hope this letter has provided a clear understanding of my past dilemma, that no longer exists, and the reason for my poor academic results. Ive learned my lesson from this situation and I will be prepared for any future surprises. I beg you reconsider my eligibility for financial aid, because without it, I would have to continue working as a full-time student. Except this time I will not be working to support my family, but I would be working to support my own education from my own pocket. And with tuition fees constantly increasing, I fear I will remain a student in ____________ longer than I expected. I want to be the first in my family to graduate from a 4-year university and show that Ive made the right choices in life. If you give me this second opportunity, I assure you that it will not be taken for granted.
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<p>Thank you so much for your time and consideration,</p>
<p>Sincerely,</p>
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