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. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake