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.

Smoke a joint, lose your financial aid; drink and drive, who cares?

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.