STUDENTS WITH DRUG OFFENSES LOSE FINANCIAL AID

Students who checked "yes" on the FAFSA application saying they have
been convicted of a drug-related offense automatically lost federal
financial aid in the form of Pell Grants, Stafford Loans and
potentially state financial aid as well, but they may be able to win it back.

For charges of possession, the first offense is loss of financial aid
for a year. Second offense is two years and for a third offense,
financial aid is suspended indefinitely.

The policy has been in effect since 2000, when an amendment was added
to the Higher Education Act, which was passed in 1965.

The last time Congress reevaluated the act, an amendment was tacked
on that takes away any federal financial aid if the student has been
convicted in state or federal court of possessing or selling illegal drugs.

Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) was formed to oppose the new
policy at the national level.

"The policy causes more drug abuse and not less by blocking access to
education," said Tom Angell, campaigns director for SSDP.

The federal financial aid is only taken away if there is a state or
federal conviction, so unless the student is charged in court, there
isn't a risk of losing aid.

At USC, if a student violates the drug policy of the Student Code of
Conduct, officials could conduct an informal administrative hearing,
a formal administrative hearing and a formal university conduct hearing.

Scott Lewis, director of the Office of Judicial Affairs, emphasizes
the distinction between going to court in a criminal process, where
you could lose financial aid, and going through USC's judicial system.

When a student is reported by Housing or USC Police to have violated
the drug or alcohol policy, the student is usually referred to the
Office of Judicial Affairs as part of an administrative process
separate from the criminal process.

Usually, for a first-time minor drug offense, the student pays a
fine, is put on probation and is assessed by the counseling center,
Lewis said. Sometimes, the student is given a series of random drug tests.

"We tailor the sanctions to help students learn from the experience,"
Lewis said.

The only exception is if a student is charged with distributing
drugs, which entails immediate suspension, Lewis said.

Last year, 111 cases of students allegedly violating drug policy were
reported. Ninety-eight were found responsible for information only,
which is when the charges are virtually dismissed.

For state financial aid such as the Palmetto Fellows or Life
scholarships, a completely separate form that has its own
certification process is used, said Sharon Lindler, a financial aid
office employee.

Students have to sign a form saying they haven't been convicted or
pled guilty of a felony or been convicted of a drug-related
misdemeanor in any state within the past year.

In the last academic year, 11 students couldn't sign the
certification statement, Lindler said. It is usually a low number, she said.