Pubdate: Mon, 13 Feb 2006
Source: City Paper, The (TN)
Copyright: 2006, The City Paper,LLC
Contact:  http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3080
Author: Vandana Atreya
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

STUDENT AID RETURNS FOR DRUG OFFENDERS

Hundreds of Tennessee students can hope to get a second shot at 
gaining eligibility for federal financial aid thanks to a bill that 
passed the U.S. Congress last week.

The bill scales back a law that stripped financial aid from college 
students with drug convictions.

The drug provision was originally enacted in 1988. College students 
had to declare prior drug convictions on the Free Application for 
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). An answer of "yes" to the drug 
conviction question basically rendered the student ineligible to 
receive financial aid, regardless of whether the conviction was prior 
to the person's entering college.

Now most students with past drug offenses can receive federal or 
state financial aid as long as the drug conviction did not happen 
while the student was enrolled in college and receiving financial aid.

Administrators at local public and private universities and colleges 
agree the new bill makes good sense.

Nashville State Community College (NSCC) has several students who 
will benefit from the law, according to Financial Aid Director Steven 
White. While NSCC doesn't have the time or resources to find out the 
exact number of students who will benefit from the change, White 
thinks it is a wise move to make the penalty limited to students who 
are currently enrolled in school.

"This current change is a healthy compromise. No taxpayer would look 
kindly upon federal or state funds being misused by students," he said.

What White did disagree with was isolating drug convictions as the 
only question on the FAFSA form.

"Drug conviction is the only felony that is listed on the form. It is 
unfair to isolate drug convictions if convictions such as rape and 
assault are not getting the same attention. I do think that is a bit 
overwhelming," he said.

The change is welcome news at Vanderbilt University even though there 
have been no instances of students with prior drug convictions trying 
to apply for financial assistance, according to Brent Tener, 
associate director of financial aid.

"This has been a large political football ever since it passed a 
while ago. The original intent of the law was good but it got farther 
and farther away from what it was originally meant to do. The change 
makes sense as it relates to universities and colleges," he said.

While the policy change is good news for students and financial aid 
administrators, it has action groups such as the Students for 
Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) calling for a time-out.

Applicants are required to answer a "yes" or "no" to "Have you ever 
been convicted of possessing or selling illegal drugs?" on the FAFSA. 
Tom Angell, campaigns director for SSDP, feels the question is 
"irrelevant to aid eligibility." The SSDP wants the drug question 
totally eliminated from the form. The mere presence of the question 
deters eligible students from applying for aid, according to Angell.

The 2006-2007 federal form does advise applicants to submit the form 
even if they answered yes to the drug conviction question. "…You may 
be eligible for non-federal student aid from state or private 
sources," it says. 
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman