Pubdate: Tue, 01 Feb 2005
Source: Daily Vidette (IL Edu)
Copyright: 2005 Daily Vidette
Contact:  http://www.dailyvidette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/666
Author: Mary Yurgil

FAFSA DRUG POLICY CONSIDERED FOR CHANGE

A question on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form that
could deny a student any financial aid is being considered for
revision after gaining criticism.

The law, added to the Higher Education Act of 1998 and designed by
Congressman Mark Souder, (R-IN), asks whether the applying student has
had any drug convictions.

"Students are wondering how closing doors will help the current drug
problems among young people today," Tom Angell, communications
director for Students for Sensible Drug Policy said.

The question was first added in 2000 after the law was put into
effect, according to SSDP.

Souder's intent for the law was to be "a deterrent for drug use for
young people...if there are these consequences then students will stay
away from drugs. That's what he stated as his intent," Angell said.

The original law was intended to apply to those students who were
convicted while in college or while their application was pending,
Souder's Press Secretary Martin Green said. The intent of the law was
"totally misinterpreted," said Green, but was still enforced under the
Clinton administration.

Souder recently offered an amendment to the bill and has gained the
Bush administration's support, he said. The amendment will correct the
law and reinstate Souder's original intent.

Last year, a House of Representative's bill was introduced by
Congressman Barney Frank, (D-MA) to reinstate aid to students with
drug convictions.

The bill earned 70 co-sponsors but was not given a hearing and
therefore was not voted on.

"Congressman Frank has introduced the legislation three times to
repeal the law," Peter Kovar, press secretary for Frank, said.

Kovar explained the question is on the form because of the law and if
the law is repealed then the question will have to be removed.

"The law is unfairly targeted toward lower income families. If a
student from a family that is well-off gets a conviction, chances are
they will still be able to afford college. Those in families that are
less well-off will not be able to afford college without aid," Kovar
said.

According to Angell, upon a student's first college conviction they
will lose aid for one year and upon their second conviction they will
lose aid for two years. On their third conviction they will lose aid
indefinitely. "A lot of students cannot afford college without aid,"
Angell said. Students can apply for financial aid each school year,
creating the possibility that a student could be denied assistance
after already being enrolled.

"Many cannot afford to lose aid while in the middle of college. The
chances that they are going to re-enroll and come back become less
likely," Angell said.

Angell said Souder has agreed his law has gone too far and is in the
process of revising it. "[Souder] has been backtracking and
sidestepping because of all the organizations that have complained
about the law."
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MAP posted-by: Derek