i might be coming home.

Dear Antonette Escarsega,

Hi, my name is Monica and I am a undergraduate student at the University of California, Berkeley who is currently studying at Thammasat University here in Thailand.

I was originally staying only for the fall semester but decided to extend for an additional semester. At the time that I extended, I was unaware that my financial aid package for the second semester would be drastically lower than my first semester’s financial aid package (almost half).

I was confused about this and have contacted the EAP financial aid advisor at the Berkeley campus, Michael Mathews, and he explained to me what had happened. To my understanding, since I was planning to study in Thailand for just the fall semester, I received more than half of my funds available funds in the fall semester. Then when it came time for the spring, I did not have the same funds left in my year budget in Thailand and was only award what was left (which was much less than what I received the first semester).

Mr. Mathews said that he did not have the ability to increase my budget and he was bound to only grant as much as the budget is outline online. However, he did say that you might be able to help me if I contacted you.

I understand that it is my fault for assuming that I would be receiving the same amount of funds in the spring as I had received in the fall but was wondering if anything can be done to increase my spring budget. I was offered only $4,601.50 (not including my unsubsidized loans) and after the Tuition fees and medical fees, I will only be left with $957.50 for living expenses for the entire semester. Although Thailand is relatively cheaper than the United States (and many places in the world), it will be nearly impossible for me to survive on that amount of money. If I do not receive the needed amount of funds to get me through the semester here in Thailand, I will be forced to fly back to the United States and take the semester off completely.

Any kind of help and advice would be greatly appreciated and I’m hoping to hear from you soon.

- Monica