If you have a teenager in your family, the cost to attend the University of Minnesota is likely to give you some sticker shock. In fact, according to UM, in-state students, which include residents of Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Manitoba, need more than $30,000 per year.
Fortunately, you may not have to pay for your child’s education alone, as your family may qualify for federal financial aid. To gauge your son’s or daughter’s eligibility for loans, grants and work-study dollars, you should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid by UM’s deadline.
A harsh history
You have probably heard about the disastrous financial aid consequences that used to come with a drug conviction. In the past, the U.S. Department of Education suspended financial aid for students with drug convictions during their award periods. Education officials also required students to repay any funds they spent during their suspensions.
A new approach
Luckily, the DOE has changed the way it processes FAFSAs for students with drug convictions. According to the DOE, drug convictions no longer trigger a suspension of federal financial aid. Still, your son or daughter must disclose his or her conviction when completing the FAFSA. He or she may also have to file a supplemental worksheet to provide greater details about the conviction.
It is important to note the DOE’s new approach does not necessarily affect private scholarships or university financial assistance. Therefore, to ensure your child continues to be eligible for all available financial aid, it is advisable to mount an aggressive defense against his or her current drug charges.
