Pubdate: Thu, 17 Jan 2002 Source: Poughkeepsie Journal (NY) Copyright: 2002 Poughkeepsie Journal Contact: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1224 Website: http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/ Author: Walter F. Wouk Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hea.htm (Higher Education Act) FEDERAL AID DENIALS MAY BE UNFAIR According to a recent report by The Associated Press, more than 43,000 college students face possible denials of federal aid this year under a 1998 law that bans such help to people who have drug convictions. The ban involves a small fraction of the more than 10 million people a year who fill out applications for federal grants, work-study funds or subsidized loans. Question 35 asks, ''Have you ever been convicted of possessing or selling illegal drugs?'' Those who answer ''yes'' are given a second worksheet that asks for details. There's a cunning omission in Question 35. Applicants are not informed that it refers to misdemeanor or felony convictions -- not violations. Many states have decriminalized marijuana and possession of small amounts is not a misdemeanor or felony offense. In New York state, for example, possession of 25 grams of marijuana or less is a violation; so the applicant can correctly answer ''no'' to question 35. That is a salient point that should be clarified on the financial aid questionnaire. The fact that it isn't calls into question the motives of government officials; and begs the question, how many students were wrongfully discouraged from applying for federal aid because of the omission? Walter F. Wouk, Director, The Thomas Paine Project Cobleskill - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk