If a student is convicted of a drug-related felony or misdemeanor that took place while receiving federal student aid, eligibility for future funds will be impacted according to the chart below:
| Drug-Related Convictions and Financial Aid | ||
|---|---|---|
|
OFFENSE |
POSSESSION OF ILLEGAL DRUGS |
SALE OF ILLEGAL DRUGS |
|
First Offense |
1 year of ineligibility from the date of conviction |
2 years of ineligibility from the date of conviction |
|
Second Offense |
2 years of ineligibility from the date of conviction |
Indefinite period of ineligibility |
|
Third (or more) offense |
Indefinite period of ineligibility |
Indefinite period of ineligibility |
Students can have the period of ineligibility shortened by:
- Successfully completing an approved drug rehabilitation program that includes passing two unannounced
- drug tests, or
- Passing two unannounced drug tests administered by an approved drug rehabilitation program, or
- Having the conviction reversed, set aside, or otherwise rendered invalid.
A student regains eligibility for federal student aid the day after the period of ineligibility ends or when documentation is submitted confirming one of the above events have occurred. If a student regains eligibility by any means during an academic year, he or she may receive Federal Direct Loans for the full academic year and can receive all other federal aid for the current payment period.
An approved drug rehabilitation program: Must include two unannounced drug tests AND meet at least one of the following:
- Qualified to receive funds directly or indirectly from a Federal, State or local government program
- Qualified to receive payment directly or indirectly from a Federally or State-licensed insurance company
- Administered or recognized by a Federal, State or local government agency or court
- Administered or recognized by a Federally or State-licensed hospital, health clinic or medical doctor.
It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that unannounced drug testing is part of the treatment as not all programs include this. Additional information is available by calling the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243).
