Pubdate: Mon, 25 Jul 2005
Source: Daily News-Record, The (VA)
Copyright: 2005 The Daily News-Record
Contact:  http://www.dnronline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1519
Author: Jeff Mellott
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hea.htm (Higher Education Act)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

DRUG CONVICTIONS WOULDN'T PREVENT SOME COLLEGE AID

College students with past drug convictions could receive financial 
aid, under a change proposed in Congress.

But students who have a drug conviction while in college would no 
longer be eligible, according to a statement from Students for a 
Sensible Drug Policy.

The bill, the College Access and Opportunity Act of 2005, next goes 
to the full House for a vote before it can move to the U.S. Senate. 
In January, the congressionally-created Advisory Committee on Student 
Financial Assistance recommended that drug convictions were not 
relevant to aid eligibility.

"After seven years of political rhetoric and empty promises, Congress 
is finally acting to help some students affected by this terrible 
policy," said Scarlett Swerdlow, executive director of Students for 
Sensible Drug Policy. "But this partial reform is like sapping a 
Band-Aid on a gaping wound. Tens of thousands of students will 
continue to be yanked out of school every year," she said.
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MAP posted-by: Beth