<p>In my essays, I wrote about my mom’s income. This year, she made around $70,000. I put this in my application, yet they still pushed me through the next round.</p>
<p>Also, I’m ranked 35. I’m really involved in school, come from a big family, have a job, am President of Orchestra, VP of Technology Students Association, Section Leader four years, loads of awards, yet my rank and EFC work against me.</p>
<p>I wrote a letter to the committee explaining the situation that my mother made a good amount of money, yet my parents told me I’m not getting any of it.</p>
<p>Here’s the letter:</p>
<p>Dear committee members,</p>
<p>Firstly, I would like to thank you for selecting me as a finalist. However, the reason I am sending you this unsolicited letter is not to try to gain unfair advantage over the other finalists, but rather to ask you to not base your decision solely on the information presented before you on my Student Aid Report.</p>
<p>Three days ago, I faxed my Student Aid Report with the last page stating I am
not eligible for a Federal Pell Grant. I discovered this upon receiving my SAR a week before, yet still decided not to lose hope on winning your prestigious scholarship. I ask that you look past the number that my Expected Family Contribution states, because it is not accurate. True, my mother made an exceptional amount of net income this past year, but her job as a Licensed Vocational Nurse causes my familys income to fluctuate annually, and this year she will not earn nearly as much. More importantly, my parents have told me repeatedly that I am completely on my own when it comes to college, so I will have no financial support from my family.</p>
<p>For the first fourteen years of my life I lived in a mobile home with seven people, living what some may consider an impoverished life. Yet this did not dissuade my dreams for the future. I have worked hard for college ever since elementary school. Now as a High School student, I have joined clubs and organizations to increase my social, civic and academic skills. For my familys income to prevent me from something Ive been working for ever since I was a child is difficult to cope with. My intention is not to offend or disrespect in any way; the only reason I write this letter is to allow me hope that you may make an exception, which I will be forever grateful.</p>
<p>Regardless, it is a great honor to be a finalist. Thank you for your time.</p>
<p>Sincerely,</p>
<p>(Me), Gates Millennium Finalist</p>
<p>Do you guys think it’ll help, or just make them upset?</p>
