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SHOULD STUDENTS WITH DRUG CONVICTIONS GET FINANCIAL AID? YES

Not being able to afford college is not a new problem, as many people need to take out student loans and work while attending college.  Financial aid can be a big help in paying for college expenses.  Yet a provision in the Higher Education Act denies federal aid to convicted drug offenders, which an applicant must disclose when filling out question 35 on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.  Nearly 200,000 students have been denied financial aid since the law was enacted, according to a report from Students for Sensible Drug Policy Web site. 

In early 2006, Students for Sensible Drug Policy and its allies convinced Congress to scale back the law, so that only students who are convicted while in college will have their financial aid eligibility taken away. 

Many argue that college is a time for experimenting, a fact that is assumed by all.  Even though experimenting means different things for different people, it is expected at this age.  College is where people find their niche and the only way to find it is to try new things.  Trying out different sports, clubs and friends are what someone is expected to do at college.  It's a time for meeting new people.  Many are different from those known in the past.  Yet, hanging out with a new group of people and trying new things could lead to a loss in financial aid if drugs are involved. 

How many people in college do some sort of drug? How many get caught? Being arrested for drug use is similar to being ticketed for speeding, they both only occur when the unlawful action is happening right in front of a police officer.  Many people who are determined to do drugs know the way to do them and not get caught.  If this is the only way to lose your financial aid, shouldn't they be able to enforce it better?

Many successful and famous people are notorious for doing drugs, such as writers, authors and artists.  Also, in the news today there are constant reports about famous celebrities doing some type of drug, many of them college age.  It seems to be a "do as I say, not as I do" type of issue.  People in the media are able to openly do drugs and still be successful and many writers, authors and artist said that their drug use helped further their career.  Why can't college students argue the same? Why are drugs the factor that forces students out of college? Is this policy solving anything? Does it make sense to force students who have drug convictions out of school by taking away their means of affording it.  Doesn't it make more sense to keep these students in college so they can continue to grow and become successful?

We are not saying that drug use is good or bad.  We are calling attention to the fact that a drug conviction, for whatever the reason, could force a student out of college, thus leaving them with few options.  We are asking for some empathy and fairness from the government.  Does it really make sense for them to tell students that they are not getting the financial aid they deserve because of one conviction? It is common sense that taking people out of school is not helping them better themselves.  Forcing a student out of college because they now can't afford it's not offering the second chance they need to better themselves.