Review the letter sent to you informing you of your unsatisfactory performance. Review the reasoning that have been provided and objectively assess whether they are true. If the letter cites quantitative information that can be verified, such as grade-point averages or test scores, gather relevant data to confirm what they have suggested.
Consult with your university's financial aid office before beginning to craft a letter. They often have official forms which need to be filled out if your financial aid has been revoked and you wish to begin the process of reinstating it. In some cases, your letter will need to be supplemented with one of these forms.
Review your school's definition of satisfactory academic progress, often found in the student manual. Though you may have defaulted on your progress, you may not have done so by much. Knowing the requirements can help you prove that you have slipped up only a little and are on the fast track to getting back in good academic standing.
Address the letter to the necessary party. Financial aid appeal letters are being received by the hundreds each day from your university. If you wish your letter to be seen sooner, it must go to the right director. Call your financial aid office if you do not know who this is.
Explain thoroughly how your progress was affected by your life circumstances and attach proof to document that these circumstances occurred. If you or a family member fell into poor health, attach doctor's invoices or notes. If you were the victim of a criminal act, attach a police report.
Explain how your problems have been resolved and will not continue to cause you to problems in the future. If you are still experiencing issues that will affect your academic progress, the financial aid office is not inclined to give you more free money if you intend to squander it with bad grades. If your problems are not yet resolved, consider taking some time off of school to focus on your personal life before returning.
State a specific outcome you expect from the letter. If you have a specific scholarship that was revoked because of your progress report, mention it in the letter and ask for its reinstatement.