THOSE WHO SELL DRUGS SHOULD NOT GET FEDERAL AID

In 1998, Congress passed a law denying student loans to drug dealers. The
issue here was not a college student smoking a little pot. The standard was
set at those who peddle drugs.

The first conviction for selling drugs would garner a one-year ban on
getting a student loan. A second conviction, two years. The ban is
indefinite for anyone convicted more than twice.

This is only fair. There are more students seeking aid than there is money
to supply, and it's fine to give preference to people who live by the rules
and obey the law.

More than 10 million people filled out applications last year for federal
grants, work-study programs or subsidized loans. This is the land of
opportunity, and taxpayers help make that opportunity available to any C
student who can get a decent score on the college entrance exams.

But 43,436 applicants were rejected last year because they failed to give a
straight answer to "Have you ever been convicted of possessing or selling
illegal drugs?"

Those who said yes were given a chance to explain.

Those who cannot explain are denied aid. Those who try to get around the
law by not answering the question are automatically denied their grant or loan.

Good. Taxpayers have better things to do with their money than to subsidize
the education of drug dealers.

But some in Congress want the rule changed. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass.,
introduced a bill repealing the ban. The American Council on Education,
which lobbies on behalf of colleges and universities, said the ban
discriminates against poor people because rich kids don't seek loans and
grants.

Nonsense. The only people facing discrimination are drug dealers.

That 99.57 percent of the applicants for a student loan or federal grant
have not sold drugs is a credit to this generation. Making financial aid
for them the priority reinforces the idea that education -- not drug
dealing -- is the best way to improve one's financial situation.