Pubdate: Thu, 27 Oct 2005 Source: Keystone, The (Kutztown U, PA Edu) Copyright: 2005 The Keystone Contact: http://keystoneonline.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2894 Author: Matthew Rhein Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hea.htm (Higher Education Act) DRUGS REALLY DON'T PAY Fair or not, students with drug convictions lose financial aid for post-secondary education. According to a provision in the Higher Education Act, students applying for federal financial aid who admit to a drug conviction lose funding. All applicants must answer Question 31 on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) that reads, "Has the student ever been convicted of possessing or selling illegal drugs?" If students answer yes to the question, they are not eligible for aid such as the Pell Grant and Stafford Student Loans. Anita Faust, director of Financial Aid Services, said in a phone interview on Monday morning, "If a student checks yes, we follow up on that. We call and double check [the student] meant to say that." According to Faust, after a student confirms his or her financial aid is suspended and the student has to enter an alcohol/drug education program. Length of suspension is "dependent upon the program the student participates in," said Faust. She explained the education program length varies from weeks to months, but after the student completes it, he or she is eligible for financial aid for the next semester. Mike Tekirian, a senior Business Management major, said, "I agree with the education program. I just don't like [the suspension] because they don't do it with underage drinking and that's just as bad as smoking pot." A study by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released in September 2005 stated, "During academic year 2003-2004, about 41,000 (or 0.3 of all applicants) were disqualified from receiving postsecondary education loans and grants because of drug convictions." The report also stated 18,000 students were denied $45 million dollars in Pell Grants and 29,000 students were denied over $100 million in student loans for the 2003-2004 school year. While Faust said, "Not one student at KU lost a Pell Grant because of drug convictions," students elsewhere who have can still apply for private loans. Though Faust stressed KU hasn't had a problem with drug convicted students losing financial aid, there are varied opinions toward the law. "I think it's a good idea," said Amanda Pasquale, freshman Theatre major. "Why should anyone else give them money if they're spending their money on drugs." Michael Leonard, freshman Business Management major, contested saying, "Instead of helping [convicted students] make progress, it's blocking that progress." Wendy Bartkus, the fourth-year drug and alcohol counselor on campus, disagrees with the Act's ruling to suspend financial aid. She said, "I've had students make bad choices, but they've turned their lives around. [The law] discourages students. They don't have an opportunity to see if college is for them if they don't have the financial support." Congress plans to re-examine the financial aid ban this year. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake