Pubdate: Thu, 28 Jul 2005
Source: York Daily Record (PA)
Copyright: 2005 The York Daily Record
Contact:  http://www.ydr.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/512
Author: Kyle Wibby
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hea.htm (Higher Education Act)
Cited: CHEAR - www.RaiseYourVoice.com

DRUG CONVICTIONS DENY FINANCIAL AID

Rep. Todd Platts, R-York County, missed an opportunity recently to lift a 
harsh financial aid ban during the U.S. House's reauthorization of the 
Higher Education Act (HEA). The House Committee on Education and the 
Workforce debated repealing a financial aid ban for students' with drug 
convictions, a little-known federal law passed in 1998.

The HEA drug provision took effect in 2000 and has denied more than 160,000 
students of the financial aid they need to attend school because of a past 
mistake. Denying access to an education will only cost taxpayers more in 
the long run by increasing recidivism rates.

There are numerous organizations in Pennsylvania, including the Public 
Interest Law Center in Philadelphia, Drug and Alcohol Service Providers 
Organization of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania ACLU, and the Youth 
Interlock Society, that have joined the more than 240 organizations 
nationwide that support the full repeal of the HEA drug provision.

It is time that Congress stopped using education to further punish 
ex-offenders who are seeking a better life. Pennsylvanians should be 
ashamed that Rep. Platts continues to hold education funding hostage to 
drug war politics.

Kyle Wibby

Coalition For Higher Education Act Reform

Washington 
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