April 18th, 2017
Office of Financial Aid
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My name is xxxxxxxxx xxxxx and I am a student at xxxx xxxxxxx University. First and foremost I want it to be known that I am taking full responsibility for the situation that I’m in. This is not a letter meant to draw pity or sympathy. I let factors that didn’t revolve around my schooling cause me to lose focus. My Dad had a stroke in 2014, and he was well on his way to recovery up until the beginning of this year. A week before my spring 2017 semester started he was placed into Hospice Care, and a month into the semester his death was imminent. I had to round up my brother and sister to go see him. It sent me for a whirlwind and my head was not in the books. I was more concerned about my father and his life expectancy than I was about my grades. It really hurt and affected me negatively because it got the point where he wouldn’t even recognize who I was half of the time and would constantly refer to me as a variety of different people from his past. He lost his muscle mass and I saw him go from a powerful strong man, to almost skin and bones. It was difficult for me to cope, and I really had nobody to talk to about it because after my parent’s divorce, their relationship with each other went to shambles so my mother couldn’t care any less, and I’m the oldest so I had to be strong for my brother and sister. In the end I allowed the situation to control the outcome of my semester, regretfully.
My father is still under the supervision of Hospice. I am mentally prepared for my Dad’s potential demise. I’ve been to the counselling center and I’ve had a session with a counselor. The counselor stated that my coming in is me taking the needed steps to prepare myself mentally for the potential passing of my Father, and it’s healthy for me to talk about it. I plan on going to see my counselor regularly just to talk through my feelings. Going to see a counsellor really helped me gain clarity. I’m currently taking xxxxxx (Assembly Language, Summer 17’, Out of Pocket) at xxxxx Community College. My head is back into the books and that credit will go toward my degree. I have a renewed focused and I’m ready to finish my degree. My losing my financial aid has been the wakeup call that I really needed. I should’ve never let myself get to this point. I realize that financial aid is a privilege and not to take it for granted. I’ve been pursuing my CS degree since 2012 while working full time. I am so close to finishing my degree and I will not accept anything less than success. I met with my academic advisor Ms. xxxxx xxxxxxxxx and she made sure that I’m registered into the correct courses for the fall that I need to bring my SAP back to financial aid requirements. Thanks for your time and considering my request. I humbly hope that this is enough proof that I am ready to tackle my classes and bring my GPA back up to where it needs to be.
Attached Documentation
• Father’s Hospice Papers
• Academic Advisor’s recommendations’
• xxxxxxxxxx Community College registration
• Counselor’s receipt of my visit