GROUPS SEEK END TO AID BAN FOR DRUG OFFENDERS

Regulation Blocks Funds To Students Who Admit Guilt, But Not Those Who Lie

Thousands of aspiring college students in the country have been
denied financial aid because of a 1998 federal law that refuses funds
to students with drug convictions.

Yet there's no ban on enrolling students who've committed other
crimes, including murder, rape, robbery or arson.

"That's the main issue (they're trying to argue)," said Ken Sears,
associate director of financial aid at West Virginia University.

Members of Senate and lobbying student groups on 200 campuses have
been active in trying to get the ban repealed.

Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., introduced repeal legislation in early
2001, but when Congress might take up the issue is uncertain,
especially with the country engulfed in war.

The ban has evoked much controversy since it's been passed, but Sears
said it's barely touched the local community.

"There's not much locally here," Sears said. "We've had very little
questions and comments coming in on that particular item."

Sears, a member of the National Association of Student Financial Aid
Administrators, agrees it's an issue to be dealt with on a national
level.

"This has been an issue for quite some time," Sears said. "It has
resilience. There are certain groups who feel it's unnecessarily
harsh." Rep. Mark Souder, R-Ind., author of the law, said the Bush
administration is being tougher on applicants than he intended. He
said he wanted the ban to apply only to students already getting
federal aid when convicted.

Sears said it might be unfair to some people trying to steer clear
from drugs and pursue a more productive life.

When asked if the ban should be repealed, Sears refused to comment.

The ban involves a small fraction of the more than 10 million people
who annually fill out an application for federal grants, work-study
money or U.S.-subsidized loans.

Question 35 on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form
asks: "Have you ever been convicted of possessing or selling illegal
drugs?" Those who answer "yes" get a second worksheet asking for
details.

So far this school year, more than 43,000 would-be college students
face the possible denial of financial aid.

But there is one way for drug convicted students to sneak through
question 35 -- lying.

"Unfortunately, that's true," Sears said.

Sears said honest and truthful people can be denied aid while those
who lie can recieve it.

For a first drug-possession offense, ineligibility lasts a year after
conviction; for a second offense, two years. More convictions bar aid
indefinitely. But a single drug sale conviction means no aid for two
years afterward; more convictions and the ban lasts indefinitely.

Those facing loss of aid indefinitely can, however, get that lifted
by undergoing drug rehabilitation.

Info: Federal Student Aid Information Center at (800) 4-FEDAID.