Students who are on financial aid and are caught smoking marijuana could see their federal assistance go up in smoke. The Higher Education Act was established in 1965 to provide educational resources for college students through financial aid programs. In 1998, a revision was added to the act to include a drug provision that has since denied or delayed financial aid to 200,000 potential aid recipients because of drug convictions. The drug provision was added to the act as a means of creating a no-tolerance for drug-use atmosphere at college campuses nationwide. [continues 407 words]
The Higher Education Act was established in 1965 to provide educational resources for college students through financial aid programs. In 1998, a revision was added to the act to include a drug provision that has since denied or delayed financial aid to 200,000 potential aid recipients because of drug convictions. The drug provision was added to the act as a means of creating a no-tolerance for drug-use atmosphere at college campuses nationwide. University of Hawai'i Financial Aid Director Linda Clemons explained that question 31 on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid exposes drug offenders by asking them if they have ever been convicted of "possessing or selling illegal drugs" while receiving federal student aid. If the applicant responds "yes," then they are required to fill out an additional worksheet to determine if and when they can resume eligibility. [continues 340 words]
