Pubdate: Wed, 09 Feb 2005 Source: Central Michigan Life (MI Edu) Copyright: 2005 Central Michigan LIFE Contact: http://www.cm-life.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2808 Author: Danielle Portteus Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?225 (Students - United States) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hea.htm (Higher Education Act) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/FAFSA FAFSA DRUG QUESTION MIGHT BE ELIMINATED The question on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid about whether an applicant has had a previous drug conviction may be removed by a congressional committee. "The committee's goal is to eliminate irrelevant questions which have no bearing for financial need," said Diane Fleming, CMU's associate director of client services for Scholarships and Financial Aid. The committee was appointed by Congress to advise for changes for financial aid ability. Eliminating the question was part of many recommendations by the committee. The question was added during the last reauthorization period in 1998. The next reauthorization period was set to occur last year, but was postponed until this year and will expire September 2005. "This is in effort to make the application process simpler," Fleming said. According to the Web site, http://www.ed.gov, many students answer the question incorrectly, and eliminating this type of question would make it easier for students to gain access to financial aid. "Many people do not understand that they were not convicted of the offense," Fleming said. "Although no one at CMU has been denied financial aid because of it." Answering the question improperly causes the application process to move slower because a background check must be completed on the individual. "Students think that they need to answer 'yes' to every question on the FAFSA form," Fleming said. Some CMU students feel the government should be wary of those convicted of drug charges. "Why would the federal government want to give financial aid to drug addicts instead of providing money to those who deserve it?" Brandon Reinoehl, Custer freshman said. However, other students feel it shouldn't matter what types of legal problems students may have had in the past. "I understand why the question doesn't have any bearing on financial aid because it's based on income," Monroe junior Heather Chianvare said. "I don't understand why a drug conviction should change a person's eligibility for aid." The committee also is reviewing the removal of the selective service question. These two types of questions provide barriers for students. "Many people answer the selective service question and their information cannot be found on the database," Fleming said. Veterans who apply for FAFSA and answer 'yes' to this question would be answering improperly because they did not have to register for the selective service. It also creates a barrier for international students because they may not understand what this particular question is asking. These questions are being reviewed and a recommendation will be made by the committee to decide whether or not to remove them from the FAFSA form for the next year. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake