Financial Aid Situation Letter

This letter is regarding my financial aid status, which is currently ineligible. In submitting my appeal, it is in hopes I may once again receive financial aid assistance in furthering my education. In the past, I have encountered many challenges, thus hindering my success as a student. Hopefully, I can offer insight as to why those circumstances were so detrimental to my ability in attending college and focusing on my academics. Presently, my life has changed significantly by overcoming the difficulties, therefore more determined than ever to succeed. Between the years of 1994-95 I encountered many difficult circumstances, becoming a mother at a very young age and being domestically abused while also beginning college in the fall
of 1994 presented challenges, which I could not manage at the time. In addition, it is during this time I learned of my children’s father addiction to drugs. In the spring of 1995, Shortly after conceiving our second child, my children’s father Edgar Bercian, alias Edgar Velasquez, received a conviction for drug possession, and incarcerated, eventually leading to his deportation to his country of origin, El Salvador. Within the same period, Ivan Taveras, my brother who was 16 years old at the time, had been a target of bullying and committed manslaughter going on the run, then later returning and turning himself into police custody. Since my family could not afford an attorney, I inevitably sold my vehicle, my brother’s friend also contributed towards the attorney fees. Needless to say, these events were life changing for all involved.

The following year, feeling alone and thinking my children needed a father figure, I began dating my brother’s friend. Shortly after moving in with him, he became emotionally abusive, finding myself yet again in another abusive relationship. Despite his abusive nature, I continued in the relationship convinced he would change. Also, being I grew up in a home with domestic violence, I supposed it was normal at the time. Within the same year, my father Fulgencio Taveras, succumbed to heart failure, and immediately after his death, I boarded a flight to the Dominican Republic to attend his funeral service and burial, upon my return fell further into a depression.

As the relationship progressed, so did the emotional and physical abuse, becoming jealous of everyone in my life. In avoidance of his violence and feeling ashamed, I withdrew from social interactions with friends. Becoming pregnant did not help my situation, further along through my pregnancy complications arose, being diagnosed with a condition called placenta previa, which per doctor’s advice, limited my activity, therefore unable to attend school in the fall of 1997. Following the birth of my third child, his grip grew tighter, becoming more abusive, also unwilling to assist with the children’s care deeming it was my job, therefore unable to seek employment, thus creating my dependency on him financially as well.

In the fall of 2001, I made another attempt at returning to school, however, my partner prohibited my return, maintaining constraint by repossessing my vehicle that he purchased and refusing to look after the children, which didn’t allow for my attendance.
Struggling with depression, I surrendered, accepting my role as homemaker instead, over the years, becoming a mom to three more children. Financially incapable of providing for six children on my own, I just didn’t have the valor to leave, ultimately slipping into a deep depression. During the course of our 18-year relationship, the abuse also continued, consequently destroying my self-confidence along the way. After many years of unhappiness, I realized his inability to change, finally taking the initiative in getting help entering myself into domestic abuse counseling two years ago in 2014. With counseling, I was able to learn my self-worth, heal, and move
forward.

Recognizing I still had the potential in becoming something of myself, I also returned to CCRI in the fall of 2014, successfully completing two courses.
Accordingly, my accomplishment serves as an indication of my ability in attending classes and focusing on my academics, therefore qualifying as a reasonable candidate in being granted your assistance, I am resolute in gaining a career in nursing, possessing the clarity and maturity to see my goals through. I am imploring you to consider my appeal, as currently nothing will impede my academic success. Granting my request of reinstating my financial aid will not only assist substantially with my tuition, but in rebuilding my life as well. My children will also learn it is never too late to become who you aspire to
be.

Attached you will find documentation, pertaining to the events which have transpired throughout my life, I appreciate your time in reviewing my appeal.