With average in-state tuition surpassing $22,000 per year, Pennsylvania is a comparatively expensive place to obtain a four-year degree. Fortunately, whether you intend to seek government-backed assistance, work-study aid or private funding, you probably have some options for paying for your higher education.
A conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol may derail your educational budget. That is, you may have trouble securing educational funds or lose any money you have already paid.
Government-backed financial aid
A conviction for selling or possessing a controlled substance may result in a suspension of your government-backed financial aid. The same is probably not true for a DUI conviction, though.
Typically, you have no obligation to report DUI convictions on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
Private scholarship money
While you may be able to keep your government-backed student aid after a DUI conviction, private scholarship money may be a different story.
Many scholarship programs ask recipients to abide by an inflexible code of conduct. If you receive funds from one of these programs and violate the code of conduct, you may lose scholarship funds.
Even worse, you may have to repay money you have already received and potentially spent.
Your school’s refund policy
At some schools, a DUI conviction may result in an academic suspension or expulsion. If your conviction forces you to drop classes, you may not be able to recoup the tuition and fees you have already paid.
Regrettably, depending on your school’s refund policy, a DUI conviction may leave you with all the expense and none of the educational benefit.