821 Hillcrest Street, 32803

C. Chandler (321) 216-6248

Student # V03292463

-The Academic Status of Cliffton Chandler-

Why am I pursuing this now?

Because, until now, I was content to ignore the surprising slur of an academic probation that Id received as a new transfer student to Valencia College this summer even though I felt to be inaccurate and un-fair-- in the interest of getting along and putting it behind me-- What was done, was done. Or so I thought. However, I just discovered yesterday morning during the wee-hours that my aid was canceled and, unacceptably worse-- that my academic record was now severely tarnished with the permanent label that I have been assessed as unfit for Federal Aid. Allowing an unjust censure, especially one that will detrimentally affect my future education opportunities to remain on my record without mounting an aggressive and sustained defense of my character just isnt going to happen. Ask anybody. I have, since yesterday morning, compiled and written this document as a step by step guide through the reality of the situation that confronts us as far as I am able to document it accurately. I have taken the liberty of editing the source material for succinctness of display in this formatbut I can present original copies of any featured documents for inspection-- upon request-- if this situation should remain unresolved without retaining legal counsel. I do regret aggressive tone of that last sentence, but, as I have explained to the West Campus Financial Aid office management, in person and on many occasions, I am determined to continue my education in the field of Architecture and cannot allow any additional burden to become my responsibility through negligence, misunderstanding or mishap of a staff member. Neither can I allow a new and untested, fraud-deterrent policy to become my personal albatross. I believe that significant errors of judgment and interpretation of said policy have occurred. And I know that such errors can have much more dire consequences for an adult student than I believe is accurately understood by the financial aid office staff and the members of the academic review board responsible for levying judgment in untelevised, inaccessible proceedings where the students accused have no recourse for the accused to face their accuser when a judgment is past. This decision to prevent me aida decision that was reached in my absence and without my knowledge--has consequences that can, and very likely will, reduce me to a real-life financial ruin. These include but are not limited to an imminent foreclosure of home in Melbourne, FL. My drivers license could be lost entirely. Eviction from my Orlando apartment-- humble though it may be. My immediate removal from the architecture program due to my sudden inability to pay. The requirement that I immediately begin repaying loans that Ive been authorized to use

821 Hillcrest Street, 32803

C. Chandler (321) 216-6248

Student # V03292463

until graduation. And last, and worst of all the consequences, would be the loss of the dream that Ive built so carefully--to achieve great things in the field of architecture. With so much at stake, shouldnt safe-guards be in place against an accidently irresponsible decision having such potentially catastrophic consequences to a human being? Well? I submit that these exact consequences are being brought to bear against me with malice aforethought. I additionally submit the following documentation-- to illustrate the fact that I do not deserve any kind of censure from any person or review board at this college. Nor have I ever. I have been put at extraordinary risk. I am currently in extraordinary risk. All while the professors of my dedicated field of study find me to be among the best and brightest, a compliment that I both appreciate and worked very, very hard for. If Valencia College had been maligned as unfit for assistanceby a credible source on its face-- while being in the running for the Aspen award it would have negated the hard work and sacrifice of the people that deserve that recognition. Therefore it is incumbent upon Valencia to review its decision right now, to avert the real damage caused by an irresponsible mischaracterization of my value as a student I require the maximum reinstatement of full benefits of any and every type of financial aid available to me by law--to the maximum dollar amounts authorized my current FAFSA. I also require an official hardcopy document of apology that stipulates an immediate cessation of academic-based suspension that had been merely an error generated by a new system during the recent transfer to full college status and the happy go lucky wake of the prestigious Aspen award. That states my credit from fifetteen years ago had been enter without dates, (which is, in fact, what actually happened) and how it caused unnecessary academic restrictions.

When I say require, I once again apologize for sounding so aggressive. I have less than one hundred dollars to my name and until yesterday I was relying on the full income due me in February. I have extended agreements that cannot be met if I lose several thousand dollars of a painfully limited income. And I can justify my need to the school by having very recently justified my need.

821 Hillcrest Street, 32803

C. Chandler (321) 216-6248

Student # V03292463

Some relevant Fact:

However gratifying it will be when --and if Valencia comes around and acknowledges the extent of their misunderstanding and we both call off the dogs. My goal remains the continued education here and a successful enrollment in the two, two, and two program that begins here, failing that, Ill be forced to go somewhere else and cannot and will not be flexible on preserving my reputation. It is the only thing of any value I possess. It is up to the school to determine who is eligible for what. The financial aid office is pointedly asked to investigate individual cases when considering loans and financial aid-- both to prevent fraud and accidental denial. Heres where it says so.

Here it says a C average is the intent of the rulesnot punishing a prior presidents list recipient.

I qualify for this rule. My last two semesters looked like this:

821 Hillcrest Street, 32803

C. Chandler (321) 216-6248

Student # V03292463

An accolade for outstanding community achievement received in May, 2011. Working in my field of study as a member of the Arts District Design Community, 180 hrs, 25 credits of straight As as of last May.

And heres another one I qualify for:

I qualify for this rule too.

821 Hillcrest Street, 32803

C. Chandler (321) 216-6248

Student # V03292463

I sat in financial aid office weeks before the break, because I was being proactive about handling my financial aid appeal, after a 60, 64, 60, and then a 30% on the math test I had just taken. With three, separate employee of the financial aid dept. including two managers telling me simultaneously and explicitly that this rule protected me from my single F. That the only danger came from a cumulative score that was too low and handed me this exact document to prove it to me so I wouldnt worry. At the same time I explained to all three, in detail, how fragile my situation was--and was promised a reviewdespite the ruling of no additional reviews-- if anything else happened. The fact that my troubles stem from grades from fifteen years ago being Ws boggles my mind. Especially when the federal rules for disbursement discuss the exact point.

Out of school for a long while Even back then, I was plenty bright.

821 Hillcrest Street, 32803

C. Chandler (321) 216-6248

Student # V03292463

I had a 680 math back in the day, and 650 verbal SAT score too. So, I still dont see any viable risk that justifies the initial academic probation that started all this. Why should I have had my loans prevented midstream in a move to a new city? Just 18 months before I started going to school for architecture. I was on the cover of the Life Section of the Florida Today newspaper fin recognition of being a positive community member.

Flexibility could have prevented my troubles. I found this description of one option for flexibility in guidelines provided to the school.

821 Hillcrest Street, 32803

C. Chandler (321) 216-6248

Student # V03292463

Instead I was arbitrarily put on Sudden-Death probation after I had already rented my home out and moved here. Below is the lease I signed to get tenets early before my move to Orlando.

So my option to object and fight the system was limited. I ended up sleeping in my carin a city that notoriously arrests vagrantsonly because I didnt have approved-loan paperwork to prove an income stream to a landlord or a cop.

This accusation sticks to me. Nothing repairs it. I dont deserve this trouble

Consider these points and do the right thing. 1. 2. What are the Schools responsibilities in dispensing Federal aid? What are my responsibilities in earning aid?

821 Hillcrest Street, 32803 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

C. Chandler (321) 216-6248

Student # V03292463

What are a students responsibilities in order to receive aid? What are the consequences to the school if aid is misused? What are the consequences to a student that receives academic censure? Do I deserve academic censure? What happens to me if I lose this aid?