YALE UNIVERSITY WON'T OBEY FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID POLICY

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) - Skirting a federal policy, Yale University will
become the fourth college in the country to reimburse students who lose
financial aid because of convictions for drug possession.

The Ivy League college will not reimburse students convicted of other drug
offenses, The Hartford Courant reported.

Yale joins Western Washington University, Hampshire College and Swarthmore
College as the only colleges in the country to have reimbursement policies
in response to the federal "Drug-Free Student Aid" law.

The law prohibits students convicted of drug offenses from receiving
federal financial aid. Students lose their aid temporarily depending on the
severity and number of offenses.

In most cases, the students would become eligible for aid again after they
have completed a drug rehabilitation program.

"It comes from a desire that Yale students not have their education
interrupted because they could no longer afford school," said Yale
spokesman Tom Conroy.

Conroy said university officers approved the change and told their students
of it last week.

The law has been in effect for some time, but only since President Bush has
been in office has it been enforced.

Student groups say that about 60,000 students have been affected by the law
so far. Yale administrators say that no Yale student is in that group.

Under the policy, Yale will provide university funds to make up for lost
federal aid. The student still will be required to undergo drug rehabilitation.

Groups that support Yale's decision call it a powerful statement that will
spur momentum for their cause.

"This sends a message loud and clear not just to the education community,
but also to the lawmaking community," said Darrell Rogers, the national
outreach coordinator for Students for Sensible Drug Policy.