Minnesota parents of college students who use financial aid may want to make their students aware of certain actions that could place this financial assistance in jeopardy. College students who receive convictions for drug offenses while they are also financial aid recipients run the risk of losing that aid for a year or longer. This has the potential to threaten a student’s ability to continue school.
According to Federal Student Aid, an office of the U.S. Department of Education, students who receive convictions for drug possession, drug sales or other drug violations while using financial aid stand to lose that aid.
How college students become ineligible for aid
A college student must fill out a Free Application for Student Aid each year to receive it. The FAFSA form asks about whether the applicant has received any drug convictions since the last application process. If so, the student may not be able to receive aid for a year, two years or indefinitely.
How college students become eligible for aid again
Students who become ineligible for federal financial aid may be able to get it back without waiting for the full ineligibility period by taking one of two actions. The student could pass two random drug tests issued through an approved provider. The student could also enter and complete a drug rehabilitation program through an approved provider to regain aid eligibility early.
Once a college student takes the steps necessary to become eligible for aid again, it becomes the student’s responsibility to let the local financial aid office know he or she has taken all necessary actions.
