Pubdate: Tue, 09 Apr 2002
Source: News-Times, The (CT)
Copyright: 2002 The News-Times
Contact:  http://www.newstimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/637
Author: Associated Press
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hea.htm (Higher Education Act)

YALE UNIVERSITY WON'T OBEY FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID POLICY

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) - Skirting a federal policy, Yale University will 
become the fourth college in the country to reimburse students who lose 
financial aid because of convictions for drug possession.

The Ivy League college will not reimburse students convicted of other drug 
offenses, The Hartford Courant reported.

Yale joins Western Washington University, Hampshire College and Swarthmore 
College as the only colleges in the country to have reimbursement policies 
in response to the federal "Drug-Free Student Aid" law.

The law prohibits students convicted of drug offenses from receiving 
federal financial aid. Students lose their aid temporarily depending on the 
severity and number of offenses.

In most cases, the students would become eligible for aid again after they 
have completed a drug rehabilitation program.

"It comes from a desire that Yale students not have their education 
interrupted because they could no longer afford school," said Yale 
spokesman Tom Conroy.

Conroy said university officers approved the change and told their students 
of it last week.

The law has been in effect for some time, but only since President Bush has 
been in office has it been enforced.

Student groups say that about 60,000 students have been affected by the law 
so far. Yale administrators say that no Yale student is in that group.

Under the policy, Yale will provide university funds to make up for lost 
federal aid. The student still will be required to undergo drug rehabilitation.

Groups that support Yale's decision call it a powerful statement that will 
spur momentum for their cause.

"This sends a message loud and clear not just to the education community, 
but also to the lawmaking community," said Darrell Rogers, the national 
outreach coordinator for Students for Sensible Drug Policy.
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