YALE TO REIMBURSE STUDENTS FOR AID LOST TO DRUG CHARGES

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

Yale joins Hampshire College and Swarthmore College in adopting such a
policy in response to the federal "Drug-Free Student Aid" law. Western
Washington University gives a scholarship of $750 to those who lose aid.

Yale will not reimburse students convicted of drug offenses other than
possession, the Hartford Courant reported Tuesday.

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

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

The law has been in effect since 1998, but only since President Bush has
been in office has it been enforced. No Yale students have been denied aid
so far this year.