After revising my letter over the last few days, I feel confident that it is good enough to get approved. If it bears any meaning, this is my first appeal.
Here is the letter:
Dear SAP Committee and Office of Financial Aid,
I failed to meet SAP for the 2008-09 academic year due to emotional distress caused as a result of the damages done to my family's home by Hurricane Ike. A large oak tree from our backyard fell on our house during the storm; the tree damaged the backside of our roof entirely, destroyed our backyard, and caused additional damage to our insulation, which prevents us from having any air conditioning to this day.
We didn't have any lights for three weeks after the storm, and constantly struggled with rain leaking into our kitchen and den for an additional six to eight weeks. During this time, I had to take care of my father while he suffered from two different strains of flu-like symptoms within a one-month span; I also started to fall ill, developing heat rashes along my neck and chest. However, we could not afford to go to the hospital. I also had to assist him in making sure he was covered for these damages under his insurance policy with Farmers, help him find contractors and gather nearly a dozen different estimates for repairing our home. I did get registered and paid for my classes right before the storm occurred, but these issues caused me to be unable to attend.
Considering all of the circumstances and factors surrounding the situation that has occurred, I understand the consequences and I take full responsibility for failing to attend the courses I registered for last year. Starting today and from this point on, I am making a promise to undertake a serious commitment to proving that I am a much more responsible and diligent student than I was a year ago. I will also take steps to prevent such an occurrence from interfering with my studies ever again.
Due to the economic hardships my family has faced, past and present, the only way I can attend is with financial aid. I would like you to view this letter as a request for a second chance to attend the University of Houston-Downtown. Please carefully consider reinstating my financial aid, so that I may progress from those times of adversity, towards an honest college education. Thank you for your time and consideration.
At the time I was helping my dad deal with his insurance company, the deadline had already passed to withdraw from classes.
Here is the letter:
Dear SAP Committee and Office of Financial Aid,
I failed to meet SAP for the 2008-09 academic year due to emotional distress caused as a result of the damages done to my family's home by Hurricane Ike. A large oak tree from our backyard fell on our house during the storm; the tree damaged the backside of our roof entirely, destroyed our backyard, and caused additional damage to our insulation, which prevents us from having any air conditioning to this day.
We didn't have any lights for three weeks after the storm, and constantly struggled with rain leaking into our kitchen and den for an additional six to eight weeks. During this time, I had to take care of my father while he suffered from two different strains of flu-like symptoms within a one-month span; I also started to fall ill, developing heat rashes along my neck and chest. However, we could not afford to go to the hospital. I also had to assist him in making sure he was covered for these damages under his insurance policy with Farmers, help him find contractors and gather nearly a dozen different estimates for repairing our home. I did get registered and paid for my classes right before the storm occurred, but these issues caused me to be unable to attend.
Considering all of the circumstances and factors surrounding the situation that has occurred, I understand the consequences and I take full responsibility for failing to attend the courses I registered for last year. Starting today and from this point on, I am making a promise to undertake a serious commitment to proving that I am a much more responsible and diligent student than I was a year ago. I will also take steps to prevent such an occurrence from interfering with my studies ever again.
Due to the economic hardships my family has faced, past and present, the only way I can attend is with financial aid. I would like you to view this letter as a request for a second chance to attend the University of Houston-Downtown. Please carefully consider reinstating my financial aid, so that I may progress from those times of adversity, towards an honest college education. Thank you for your time and consideration.
At the time I was helping my dad deal with his insurance company, the deadline had already passed to withdraw from classes.