<p>Hello all! I am submitting my financial aid appeal tomorrow and would love a little bit of last minute input. The requirements for my University can be found here — <a href=“http://www.weber.edu/GetIntoWeber/undergrads/appeals.html[/url]”>http://www.weber.edu/GetIntoWeber/undergrads/appeals.html</a></p>
<p>My letter is as follows-</p>
<p>Dear Members of the Financial Aid Committee,
I write to you today, not to make excuses for my lack of satisfactory progress, but to share with you the reality of my previous situation in hopes that you will see fit to accord me the opportunity to complete my education.</p>
<p>I married, at age 19, in the Spring of 2007; a decision that would ultimately affect my academic, as well as emotional and physical, well-being. Although I had been in a relationship with this man for four years prior to our marriage, I suffered the common delusion that marriage would change his behavior and make us the quintessential perfect couple. During the course of our relationship and subsequent marriage, I was faced with constant verbal, and oftentimes physical, abuse. After moving to Utah from Texas, with my spouse, I quickly began to realize that this marriage would not improve his behavior and I decided I needed to leave the marriage. I then filed for Divorce in October of 2008, which was finalized in January 2009; I have included a copy of the Divorce Decree as well as a statement from a mutual acquaintance familiar with the negative environment of my marriage.</p>
<p>The Fall semester of 2008 was my first semester on campus at Weber State, while I was excited and motivated, I also had the issues with my spouse constantly plaguing me. During the months leading up to my filing for Divorce, we attempted to work through our, and his, problems which only served to distract me from my studies. By October I had come to the conclusion that if I continued my courses, I would ultimately fail. Too much of my focus had been pulled to the break-down of my marriage and I was not performing the best of my abilities. In order to keep my GPA intact, I withdrew from all of my courses, except for Choir. That course was essentially an outlet for me during this time, the one piece of normalcy I could hold onto. By the time I had made the decision to withdraw from my courses, the refund period had passed.</p>
<p>It is now almost three years later, and much has changed in my life. I can, without a doubt, give each and every one of my courses the attention they deserve. I am remarried to a caring, supportive husband who treats me with a respect that my ex-husband could never grasp. Our marriage is an equal partnership, in which we are both striving to achieve the goals we put off for far too long. Returning to school is something my husband has encouraged me to do since day one, and I now feel ready to conquer the task. My husband is enrolled in the Information Technology program at the Ogden-Weber Applied Technology College, and is quickly advancing. This realization of his goals has been a large part of the inspiration to return to my studies. While the situation that brought me to the point of requesting this appeal was less than pleasant, I can honestly say that it has brought more than one positive change in my life. During this hiatus, I have had ample opportunity to learn more about myself and where my true talent and passion lies. I will be pursuing a Bachelor of Arts with an English Major and a Political Science Minor. While I am unsure of exactly where this combination of studies will take me in a career, these are subjects I enjoy and in which I truly excel. Attached, you will find a proposed schedule of completion for my degree.</p>
<p>It is anticipated that my husband will complete his program of study in late Spring of next year. After which, if my financial aid has been reinstated, he will begin working full-time so that I may return to my studies at Weber State full-time in the fall of 2012 with no distractions such as employment. In the meantime, my current goal is to return to Weber State at half-time status so that I may continue working while my husband finishes his schooling. </p>
<p>At present, I am a Nanny and my husband is working part-time in customer service. While we are thankful for our employment in the current economy, it doesn’t afford us the money needed to pay for my education costs. In addition to our low income, I am also saddled with debt from my previous marriage that my ex-husband has failed to pay, despite the requirements of the Divorce Decree. In order to keep my credit in good standing, I have been forced to arrange for payment of these debts. Without having my financial aid reinstated, I will not have the funds needed to return to school for at least another two years. I take full responsibility for my lack of progress and subsequent suspension of my financial aid, but I ask you all for another chance to better my future and become an active participant in the student body of Weber State University.</p>
<p>Sincerely,</p>
<p>— Does that seem suffice? I will also be attaching a copy of my Divorce decree and a statement from a mutual friend recounting the nature of the relationship between my ex-husband and I, as well as a proposed schedule of courses for finishing my degree. Any input is appreciated. Thank you!</p>