Write a request for financial aid

Dear Sir or Madam, I am an ESL teacher with 5 years of experience based in Ukraine Kharkiv and I am writing to you to request financial aid to participate in the course "Arizona State University TESOL". Although I have a degree in teaching foreign languages, nowadays employers tend to prioritize TESOL certified applicants, which significantly limits job opportunities for me. Therefore, participation in this course, first, will help me overcome employment barriers and, second, enhance my knowledge and teaching techniques as this course is highly recommended by former participants from Ukrainian teachers’ community. Unfortunately, I am on an extremely tight budget now and cannot afford to pay for the course. The reason for my unsatisfactory financial situation is that in 2014 my family was affected by Russian-Ukrainian war and had to relocate from our native Donetsk region to Kharkiv. Starting life from a scratch in a new city was associated with a number of challenges ranging from unemployment to attempts to find affordable housing. Gradually my family managed to cope with all difficulties, but the recent economic decline caused by the pandemic proved to be devastating for my teaching career, ultimately affecting my income. Here are some details of my current financial situation: My annual income $2, 570 My annual rent expenditures $1, 157 Utility bills and public transport expenditures vary depending on a season and personal needs, but approximately it makes up to one-thirds of my income. To overcome a poor financial situation and facilitate my prospects for employment I have outlined a number of actions that among others include obtaining relevant job training that can improve my competitiveness on the job market, but inability to pay for training puts my plan into danger. Therefore, I would be grateful for consideration of my request and I appreciate your time. I look forward to hearing from you. Yours faithfully, Inna Petrova