Pubdate: Thu, 10 Mar 2005
Source: Des Moines Register (IA)
Section: Metro Iowa, Pg 3B
Copyright: 2005 The Des Moines Register.
Contact:  http://desmoinesregister.com/index.html
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/123
Author: Lynn Campbell
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)
Cited: Students for Sensible Drug Policy: www.DAREgeneration.com

STUDENT AID BILL GAINS SUPPORT IN IOWA

Many Back Legislation To Sever The Link Between Aid And Drug Convictions

Some Iowa college students and financial aid officials are hailing 
legislation in Congress that would once again allow students with drug 
convictions to qualify for federal financial aid.

"We feel that the provision was counterproductive," said George Pappas of 
Chicago, a University of Iowa senior majoring in political science. 
"It's  basically taking the opportunity of education away from people who 
may have a  drug problem but are wanting to turn their lives around."

The ban on financial aid to students with drug convictions was imposed in 
1998 as an amendment to the federal Higher Education Act. Certain 
drug  convictions don't count, such as those that happened before the 
student was 18.

Three Democrats in the U.S. House -Barney Frank of Massachusetts, Elijah 
Cummings of Maryland and Dennis Kucinich of Ohio -today will introduce 
legislation to do away with the ban.

Advocates say the legislation would affect "tens of thousands of students" 
nationwide who have been denied financial aid. However, the ban appears to 
have  affected only a handful of Iowa college students -about 12 each year 
at U of I,  and even fewer at Iowa State University.

"Periodically, one or two students a year are tripped up by this 
situation," said Roberta Johnson, ISU's director of financial aid.

Pappas, 24, president and founder the U of I chapter of Students for 
Sensible Drug Policy, said he doesn't use drugs but has been fighting on 
behalf of  others who have been denied aid.

Cathy Wilcox, associate director of U of I's Office of Student Financial 
Aid, called the issue a "long-standing problem" and agreed the provision 
should be  removed from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

"It should not have any bearing on whether the students should receive 
aid," Wilcox said. "People can be convicted for other crimes and still get 
aid."

University officials said they do not keep statistics on how many have been 
denied financial aid.

Johnson said a problem with the ban is that it has relied on students' 
honesty. Financial aid officials have no way of verifying whether students 
have drug convictions in their home states, she said.

Kevin Owens, a U of I sophomore from Cedar Rapids, is among those 
supporting repeal of the ban. "I hope they revoke it," he said. "Kids make 
mistakes."

The bill's sponsor, Rep. Mark Souder, an Indiana Republican, has said the 
law was supposed to apply only to college students convicted of drug 
offenses while  receiving financial aid. His office did not return a call 
seeking comment.
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