Pubdate: Mon, 08 Mar 2004 Source: Cincinnati Enquirer (OH) Copyright: 2004 The Cincinnati Enquirer Contact: http://enquirer.com/today/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/86 Author: Ross Wilson Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hea.htm (Higher Education Act) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?219 (Students for Sensible Drug Policy) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States) KEEP THE DOORS OF EDUCATION OPEN Since 2000, more than 128,000 students have been ineligible for federal aid because of their response to one question on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. That question asks applicants to indicate if they have "ever been convicted of possessing or selling illegal drugs." The drug question wasn't always on the form. The Department of Education added it after Congress last updated the Higher Education Act in 1998. During that reauthorization process, a rider amendment was added that made students with drug convictions ineligible for aid. In an unfortunate irony, this provision has harmed the same students from low-and middle-income families the Higher Education Act is intended to assist. While this landmark 1965 law opened the doors of education to millions who could not otherwise afford it, the drug provision runs contrary to the act's purpose. Even as those dependent on student aid are forced to leave school after receiving a drug conviction, those wealthier students able to afford the full cost of tuition remain unaffected. Minorities, too, find themselves disproportionately impacted by this law. For instance, African-Americans account for 13 percent of the population, 13 percent of drug users, but more than half of all drug convictions. That higher conviction rate translates into a higher ineligibility rate for aid. Clearly, those who break the law should be held accountable. Our drug laws are highly punitive, and judges take them seriously. In fact, judges already have the authority to deny federal benefits - including student aid - to those convicted in their courts. But penalizing students who have already been convicted, sentenced by a judge, and disciplined by their schools just doesn't make sense. Not only does it undermine the authority of the criminal justice system and the school administrators who know the students best, but it dooms them to failure as well. Such a blanket policy from Washington cannot possibly take into account the best interests of the student or society at large. Congress is set to review the Higher Education Act this spring, and Sen. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio, sits on two committees with jurisdiction on the drug provision. He should take a lead role in fully repealing it and correcting the mistake Congress made in 1998. Let's keep the doors of education open to at-risk young people who want to become productive members of society. - ---------- Ross Wilson is a Hyde Park native and a 2002 graduate of the University of Notre Dame. He is working in Washington as legislative director for Students for Sensible Drug Policy. - ---------- Sound off Want your voice to be heard? Send your column or proposed topic to assistant editorial editor Ray Cooklis at or call (513) 768-8525. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake