BartWillis
New member
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2026
- Messages
- 7
I need to know if anyone has been through this and come out the other side okay because I'm genuinely freaking out right now. 
Background: I've been on the Texas Grant (Toward EXcellence, Access and Success) since my freshman year. It's been a lifesaver - covers most of my tuition, lets me work less and focus on school. My GPA was solid, around 3.4, everything was fine.
Then last semester happened. My grandmother, who basically raised me, got really sick back home in Houston. I was driving back every other weekend, missing classes, falling behind. I tried to push through but by October I was a mess. My grades tanked. I ended up with two D's, a C, and a W (I withdrew from one class because I knew I was gonna fail).
I just got the email from financial aid yesterday. Subject line: "Satisfactory Academic Progress Warning" ... then I read it and realized I've lost my Texas Grant eligibility for next semester. My SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress) dropped below their required 2.5 GPA and 67% completion rate.
I literally cried in my car for like 20 minutes.
I can't afford school without it. My parents don't have money to help, I work part-time at H‑E‑B but that barely covers my rent and food.
Here's my question: Has anyone successfully appealed this? The email mentioned an appeal process for "extenuating circumstances." Does my grandma's illness count? I have documentation from the hospital, proof she was in ICU, all that. But I don't know if they care about family stuff or if it's strictly academic.
Also, if I appeal and win, do I get the grant back immediately, or is it just a "probationary" period where I have to pay and then get reimbursed? I can't front the money. I literally can't.
I know I messed up, I know I should have withdrawn from more classes or taken a leave of absence. But I was trying so hard to push through and now I'm paying for it. Any advice, similar stories, or even just moral support would mean the world.
Background: I've been on the Texas Grant (Toward EXcellence, Access and Success) since my freshman year. It's been a lifesaver - covers most of my tuition, lets me work less and focus on school. My GPA was solid, around 3.4, everything was fine.
Then last semester happened. My grandmother, who basically raised me, got really sick back home in Houston. I was driving back every other weekend, missing classes, falling behind. I tried to push through but by October I was a mess. My grades tanked. I ended up with two D's, a C, and a W (I withdrew from one class because I knew I was gonna fail).
I just got the email from financial aid yesterday. Subject line: "Satisfactory Academic Progress Warning" ... then I read it and realized I've lost my Texas Grant eligibility for next semester. My SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress) dropped below their required 2.5 GPA and 67% completion rate.
I literally cried in my car for like 20 minutes.
I can't afford school without it. My parents don't have money to help, I work part-time at H‑E‑B but that barely covers my rent and food.Here's my question: Has anyone successfully appealed this? The email mentioned an appeal process for "extenuating circumstances." Does my grandma's illness count? I have documentation from the hospital, proof she was in ICU, all that. But I don't know if they care about family stuff or if it's strictly academic.
Also, if I appeal and win, do I get the grant back immediately, or is it just a "probationary" period where I have to pay and then get reimbursed? I can't front the money. I literally can't.
I know I messed up, I know I should have withdrawn from more classes or taken a leave of absence. But I was trying so hard to push through and now I'm paying for it. Any advice, similar stories, or even just moral support would mean the world.