Pubdate: Thu, 26 Jan 2006 Source: Independent Collegian (U of Toledo, OH, Edu) Contact: http://www.independentcollegian.com/home/lettertotheeditor/ Copyright: 2006 Independent Collegian Website: http://www.independentcollegian.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4078 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hea.htm (Higher Education Act) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States) ht LOAN CODE MAY CHANGE For those students with drug-related convictions, getting federal financial aid from the government can be a long shot. This may not be the case for much longer, as members of the House and Senate prepare to vote on the Higher Education Budget Reconciliation Act of 2005, which contains an amendment that would change the rules. "Right now, if you have been convicted of selling or possessing drugs, you can be declared ineligible for federal financial aid," said Lisa Hassleschwert, interim director of financial aid for UT. "The new amendment would change the law so that only students who are convicted while receiving the aid money can be penalized." The change would enable some of the 17,000 to 20,000 students that, according to the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, were annually denied Pell Grants due to drug convictions from 2001 to 2004. The NASFAA also reported that another 29,000 to 41,000 people lost out on student loans because of drug convictions during the same time frame. Those involved with the financial aid process find the government's methods a little unconventional. "Really, it's odd; other public assistance programs don't have any restrictions or stipulations linked to them, just federal financial aid," Hassleschwert said. "Why punish someone who might be trying to get [their life] back on track?" The nature of the amendment, a seven-year-old addition to the 1965 Higher Education Act, also raises questions regarding the specific detail of the law. The amendment includes a discontinuation of federal funding only for convicted drug offenders. Hassleschwert explained how such a narrowly focused law could be put into practice. "Sometimes, a senator or lobbyist group thinks that something is a good idea, thinks that it looks good on paper," she said. "They simply get the support they need and then try and make it law." Some students feel that the law's specifics are unfair. "It's kind of a joke," said Brian Barchick, a senior majoring in communication. "What's to say that using drugs is worse than killing someone? Possession of marijuana doesn't make you a bad person." The House is set to vote on the Reconciliation Bill Feb. 1. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake