Drug Convictions and Financial Aid Eligibility

Drug convictions may impact your eligibility. Students convicted of drug offenses committed while receiving Federal Financial Aid may be ineligible for federal financial aid for one (1) or more years from the date of conviction. Federal Aid includes:

  • Federal Student Loans
  • Federal PLUS Loans
  • Federal Grants
  • Federal Work Study

Penalties for Drug Convictions in Eligibility

Possession of Illegal Drugs:

  • First Offense: One (1) year from the date of conviction
  • Second Offense: Two (2) years from the date of conviction
  • Third and Subsequent Offenses: Indefinite ineligibility from the date of conviction

Sale of Illegal Drugs:

  • First Offense: Two (2) years from the date of conviction
  • Second and Subsequent Offenses: Indefinite ineligibility from the date of conviction

Convictions during Enrollment

According to the United States Department of Education, if a student is convicted of a drug offense after receiving Federal aid, he or she must notify the Financial Aid Office immediately and that student will be ineligible for further aid and required to pay back all aid received after the conviction.

Regaining Eligibility after a Drug Conviction

You can regain eligibility for the federal programs no matter how many or what type of drug convictions you have if you successfully complete an acceptable drug rehabilitation program that meets the standards set by Congress and the Department of Education. You will regain eligibility on the date you complete the program.

An acceptable drug rehabilitation program requires passing TWO (2) unannounced drug tests AND be either:

  1. Qualified to receive funds from a federal, state or local government agency or program, or from a state or federally licensed insurance company, or
  2. Administered or recognized by a federal, state or local government agency or court, or by a state or federally licensed hospital, health clinic, or medical doctor.

Question 23 on the FAFSA form asks if the student has ever been convicted of a drug related offense. Answering this question falsely, if discovered, could result in fines up to $20,000, imprisonment, or both.