PRESS VITAL TO HEA REFORM

The Coalition for Higher Education Act Reform would like to thank you for
drawing your readers' attention to the Higher Education Act Drug Provision.
The article and the editorial printed on March 16 ("Student Aid for Drug
Offenders Questioned," p. 1, and "Time for a Drug-Free FAFSA" p. 6) and
March 21 Letter to the Editor ("Drug Laws Shatter Lives," p. 6) were some
of the best articles on the issue in recent memory. Press is a major
component of our campaign to repeal the HEA Drug Provision, and we
appreciate your help in making the public aware of this important student
issue.

As you said in your editorial, Americans "continue to rally around the
importance of education and the need for its improvement." The HEA Drug
Provision is only hurting America's higher educational system by denying
previous drug offenders financial aid. Education is a major component in
rehabilitation, and drug offenders should be offered the same chance at an
education as everyone else.

We thank your for you continued support in this ongoing fight. Thank you
again, and please continue the great work.

Chris Mulligan

Outreach Director

Coalition for Higher Education Act Reform