Will someone please review my SAP appeal? This is my first time writing a SAP appeal and would like another human to review it before I submit it. For context, I was professionally diagnosed with depression in 2019. I graduated high school in 2020 during the pandemic. I attended college in the Fall of 2020. The mix of being on lockdown, my depression, and the only option for classes being online was not a good mix at all. I stopped attending entirely failing 13 credit hours. Since then, I have completed one semester re-taking 13 credit hours making up 4 out of the 5 classes I failed. I completed the semester with a 3.88 GPA making the Dean's List. I paid entirely for that semester in cash as I was not eligible for aid. However, I won't be able to afford paying out of pocket in the Fall.

I have the following documentation:

- My diagnosis in 2019 for depression

- A letter from my doctor showing I am now on meds

- A bill for therapy showing that I consistently attend therapy and was doing so while re-taking classes

- A letter from a professor from last semester showing that I met with her to help me succeed

I'll post the questions and my answers below. Please let me know what you think.

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"Please explain why you did not meet the required progress standards. Detail the extenuating circumstances. You must include thorough documentation for the dates time periods involved, which prevented you from maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress."

My name is xxxx and I am writing this letter to the board to appeal my financial aid ineligibility. I really appreciate the board’s consideration of my case. In 2019, I was diagnosed with dysthymic disorder, or more commonly known as persistent depressive disorder by a counselor. Unfortunately, the disorder made it extremely difficult for me to seek treatment at the time. Following this, the covid-19 pandemic was maximized in March 2020, which changed the way school and the world as a whole operated and worsened my mental health. I graduated from high school in June of 2020. By Fall 2020, I was registered for classes at xxxx College that were all online as the campus did not offer any in person classes at the time. Personally, I learn better in a real world setting. Being on lockdown during the pandemic was not a good mix with my persistent depressive disorder. It was extremely difficult for me to continue with school and I completely lost the ability to focus. I made the mistake of completely stopping my attendance to school. In hindsight, I should not have done that and I am disappointed with how I handled it.

"Please explain how and why your situation is different now and what steps you have taken to be successful in the future. Be as detailed as possible."

After halting my attendance to school, I was working for a major corporation. I came to the conclusion that I wanted to go back to school and take my education seriously. In December 2022, I was prescribed Prozac to treat my dysthymic disorder, which I have provided documentation for. In January 2023, I enrolled in the Spring semester at xxxx College and was excited to be there for on campus learning. As a cash paying student, I took 13 credit hours making up 4 out of the 5 classes that I failed. I finished the semester with a 3.88 GPA making the Dean's List. My family and I were really proud of such an accomplishment. I was able to accomplish this by regularly attending therapy during the semester at xxxx, for which I have provided my bill statement showing my attendance to therapy at the time of the Spring 2023 semester. The combination of medicine and therapy is beneficial in treating my dysthymic disorder. Being able to hold down a job at a major corporation taught me how to manage my time wisely which has been the key to my study habits. Having the option to take all of my classes in person rather than strictly online allowed for a more interactive learning environment. I was also able to take use of the tutoring center and meet with my Math 1530 professor to ensure my academic success. My plan is to further my education and earn my Associate's Degree from xxxx College before transferring to the University of xxxx. I am excited for the future of possibilities. I am now confident that I can continue my education while maintaining the PACE standard of 67% and a minimum GPA of 2.00. Thank you to the board for taking the time to consider my appeal. Please reach out to me if there are any questions or concerns.