Thank you for raising awareness of the Higher Education Act's denial of student loans to youths convicted of drug offenses ("Law that strips financial aid for drug convictions reconsidered," Oct. 12). Instead of empowering at-risk students with a college degree, HEA limits career opportunities and increases the likelihood that those affected will resort to crime. Speaking of crime, convicted rapists and murders are still eligible for federal student loans. Most students outgrow their youthful indiscretions involving illicit drugs. An arrest and criminal record, on the other hand, can be life shattering. After admitting to smoking pot (but not inhaling), former President Bill Clinton opened himself up to "soft on drugs" criticism, and thousands of Americans have paid the price in the form of shattered lives. More Americans went to prison or jail during the Clinton administration than during any past administration. [continues 91 words]
As college students around the country prepare for this semester's midterms, thousands of their would-be classmates don't have anything to study for because of a federal law that strips financial aid from people with drug convictions. The policy is currently being reconsidered as Congress renews the Higher Education Act for the first time in seven years. While the HEA was originally enacted in 1965 to make higher education more accessible and affordable for all Americans, the Drug Provision added during the 1998 HEA reauthorization — is an unjustifiable roadblock in the path to college. Over the past seven years, more than 175,000 students have lost their financial aid because of the HEA drug provision. [continues 158 words]
This Is The First Of A Two-Part Story Analyzing Federal Laws That Strip Student Aid When filling out the FAFSA application, every student comes across the question: Have you ever been convicted of possessing or selling illegal drugs? Tom Angell, campaign director for Students for Sensible Drug Policy, says approximately 175,000 students nationwide have checked the "yes" box for that question and as a result have been denied financial aid. The controversial law that allows the government to block aid from students convicted on drug charges, but not other convictions like rape, is under heated debate once again as this year Congress is overhauling the original legislation in the 1998 Higher Education Act. [continues 1004 words]
