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Federal Drug Conviction Policy

Notice of Federal Student Financial Aid Penalties for Drug Law Violations

A federal or state drug conviction can disqualify a student for Federal Student Aid Funds. Convictions count only if the offense occurred during a period of enrollment for which the student was receiving Title IV federal student aid.

Below illustrates the period of ineligibility for FSA Funds depending on whether the conviction was for the sale or possession and whether the student has had previous offenses.

  Possession of Illegal Drugs Sale of Illegal Drugs
1st Offense 1 year from date of conviction 2 years from date of conviction
2nd Offense 2 years from date of conviction Indefinitely
3rd Offense Indefinitely  

 

If the student is convicted of both possessing and selling illegal drugs, and the periods of ineligibility are different, the student is ineligible for the longer period.

Students who lose their eligibility due to a drug conviction will receive a written notice of their loss of eligibility and the methods whereby they can re-establish their eligibility.

A student can regain eligibility the day after the period of ineligibility ends or when the student successfully completes a qualified drug rehabilitation program. Further drug convictions will make the student ineligible again.

A qualified drug rehabilitation program must include at least two unannounced drug tests and must satisfy at least one of the following requirements:

  • be qualified to receive funds directly or indirectly from a federal, state or local government program.
  • be qualified payment directly or indirectly from a federally or state-licensed insurance company.
  • be administered or recognized by a federal, state of local government agency or court.
  • be administered or recognized by a federally or state-licensed hospital, health clinic or medical doctor.

For additional information on how a drug conviction can affect your eligibility for financial aid, visit the federal student aid website.

The Financial Aid Office reserves the right to request court documents or documentation of drug rehabilitation program if determined as necessary to resolve conflicting information regarding eligibility.