Pubdate: Tue, 04 Oct 2005 Source: Daily Toreador, The (TX Edu) Copyright: [YEAR]sDaily Toreado Contact: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3949 Website: http://www.dailytoreador.com/ Note: Letters must be no longer than 300 words and must include the author's name, signature, phone number, Social Security number and a description of university affiliation. Author: Jay Langley Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) LAW DENYING FINANCIAL AID TO DRUG OFFENDERS DOES LITTLE TO DECREASE DRUG USE, STUDY SHOWS Congress released a report last week on the effects that the 1998 amendment to the Higher Education Act has on student drug use. The law denies federal financial aid to students with drug convictions. The study by the U.S. Government Accountability Office showed that more than 175,000 students with drug convictions have been denied financial aid. "They were unable to find evidence that denying financial aid reduces drug use by young people," said Tom Angell, campaign director for Students for Sensible Drug Policy. According to the Accountability Office Web site, college graduates earn nearly twice as much throughout a lifetime as those persons who only have a high school diploma. The study showed that a college education leads to decreases in crime and decreased dependence on public assistance. "Denying access to college only increases drug abuse," Angell said. "If a person has a college education, they are less likely to actively pursue a life of crime." Congress authorized the Higher Education Act in 1965. Every five years, Congress re-authorizes the act. In 1998, the financial aid ban was added as a provision to the federal law. The financial aid ban is up for reconsideration this year as Congress overhauls the education law. "We are calling on Congress to reinstate financial aid to those students who have been convicted," Angell said. The Students for Sensible Drug Policy, Angell said, is working with many different organizations, including university student government associations, to push Congress to change the law. Ryan Worley, the external vice president of the Texas Tech Student Government Association said the Tech SGA has never considered the financial aid ban. "But it is something that we could definitely look into," he said. "I believe that it is important to give everyone a second chance." Worley said the SGA could look into the financial aid ban in the future. "I will bring it up to the senators and see if it is something they want to do research on," Worley said. Becky Wilson, director of financial aid at Tech, said the university has no control over who receives aid. "The federal government makes the decision," Wilson said. "It is not up to the institution." Question 31 on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid asks the student if they have ever been convicted of possession or selling of illegal drugs. If the student checks the yes box they are sent an additional form to fill out. Based on the additional worksheet, the government determines whether the student will receive financial aid. "Depending on how the student answers the questions on the federal application, Congress has said the government has the right to deny financial aid to students," Wilson said. Angell said it is important to let students with drug convictions get their feet back on the ground by helping them with financial aid. "Education has a long-term positive effect on society," he said. "Denying an education to people makes the streets unsafe." Scarlett Swerdlow, executive director of the Students for Sensible Drug Policy, said in a news release that denying financial aid to students does not deter drug use. She said Congress' own researchers failed to show that the law does anything to solve drug problems. Swerdlow said preventing determined students from earning a college degree makes streets less safe and undercuts America's economic productivity. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D