Calling on my village

In the 2009-2010 school year, I attended San Francisco State University. I was extremely depressed at the time and struggling with active addiction and lacked focus in school. I failed a few classes and dropped out of school, leaving my GPA at a 1.8 upon leaving SFSU. The next few years were a whirlwind for me. I was homeless, got placed on a 5150 hold in 2012, and battled my inner demons and finally found a home in recovery in 2013. I had my son in 2014 and went back to school in 2015 at Skyline College. I worked extremely hard attending school full time, taking care of my son, working full time, and taking care of myself and my own mental health issues. I was able to raise my GPA to a 3.6 and made the Dean’s List all 5 semesters that I attended Skyline. I received two AA degrees upon graduation and wanted to continue my academic journey and follow the dreams I have of attaining my Bachelor’s degree in social work. Through an extremely difficult application process and with the assistance of many people, I got accepted into the social work program at SFSU. Only 25 people out of 1000 that applied were accepted into this program. I was told that I would be getting the financial aid and accepted my awarded amount. I began planning my entire semester around receiving that financial aid on 8/22. I had enough to cover my tuition, books, rent, car insurance, and an emergency dental surgery that I need. I received an email this week stating that I got a hold placed on my financial aid because of my GPA when I was there in 2010. I thought I had jumped through every hurdle I needed to get through, but now I need to fill out an appeal form and explain my circumstances and meet with a few people to get signatures and come up with a plan for how I plan to graduate in 2 years. I also need to get a note from my psych doctor explaining my circumstances. This whole thing is super frustrating. I am hopeful that I will get the appeal and will eventually get the financial aid money, but I will definitely not be getting it in the time I thought I would be receiving it. So I’m asking for assistance from my community for help with rent ($800), my car insurance ($180), my emergency dental surgery ($500), and books for my classes ($800). I can pay you all back if my financial aid appeal goes through. Should be 1-2 weeks, but I really need the help before that. A huge thank you to everyone who has prayed for me and sent me love and encouragement during this time. I am really angry, scared, and frustrated, but your support has been really necessary and helpful. I love you guys.