FAFSA'S FOILS

If you're charged with possession of any illegal substance and you're
a college student, kiss your financial aid goodbye. But if you're
convicted of an alcohol-related offense, you're in the clear. Amid all
the financial inquiries on the FAFSA application, why is there a
question about drugs?

The fact that the federal government asks you about drug convictions
rather than any other convictions is absurd.

As of 1998, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid has outlined
that students who are convicted for possession or selling illegal
drugs during the time they are enrolled and receiving federal student
aid cannot qualify for the grants, loans and/or work-study.

Convictions that are removed from your record and convictions that
occurred before you turned 18, unless you were tried as an adult, do
not count. Those who check "yes" to illegal drug convictions on their
FAFSA application are required to fill out a separate worksheet to
determine if the conviction affects their financial aid
eligibility.

The FAFSA question is a result of a provision of the Higher Education
Act. Since 2000, more than 175,000 students have been ineligible for
federal loans, grants and work-study because of the provision,
according to the Students for Sensible Drug Policy Web site.

What's absurd is that the federal government asks college students
about drug convictions but not DUIs, DWIS or any other offenses. One
particular misdemeanor conviction should not pull more weight than
felony convictions.

Drunk drivers kill more innocent victims than pot smokers by far, but
there's no question about drunken driving on your FAFSA application.
Why doesn't the federal government also revoke the rights of murders
or other violent criminals?

And if the law is an attempt to penalize drug users, it's a paltry
effort. It only punishes students convicted of drug-related charges
who need financial assistance. Students who can afford their tuition,
fees and other expenses on their own are unaffected. It's unfair to
target people who rely on federal aid.

Organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union are asking
for the federal government to repeal its decision. The organization is
urging people to tell their state representative to bring reform to
the High Education Act. On the "Take Action" portion of the
organization's Web site, there is a form that can be filled out and
sent directly to your elected official. If you think this is unfair,
voice your opinion.

Drug convictions shouldn't mark the end of someone's college career
just because they can't rely on financial assistance.