If you are a student, you most likely receive some form of financial aid. Most people apply for federal aid by completing the FAFSA. As with any financial aid, there are requirements that a student must meet. There are also conditions that can hurt a person’s chances of financial aid.
For students who have criminal records, it can affect student aid. One of the convictions that will affect student aid is a drug conviction. How do drug convictions affect student eligibility and can you come back from it?
Student ineligibility
To lose student aid can derail your education. Most students rely on financial aid to be able to complete college. Under the current law, if the court convicts you of drug possession, you could lose your eligibility for a year. Then, a second conviction can lead to two more years of ineligibility. With a third conviction, you can lose your aid indefinitely, explains CNBC.
If you receive the conviction while you receive financial aid, then you could have your aid suspended right away. When you answer yes to the question on the FAFSA form for a prior conviction, then you must fill out another worksheet to determine your eligibility. If you have a drug conviction after you receive financial aid, you may have to pay it back.
Student eligibility requirements
According to Federal Student Aid, there are ways that you can regain eligibility. If you complete an approved drug rehabilitation program, then you may be on the right track to regaining eligibility. Once you complete the program, you must pass two separate unannounced drug tests.