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Students who checked "yes" on the FAFSA application saying they have been convicted of a drug-related offense automatically lost federal financial aid in the form of Pell Grants, Stafford Loans and potentially state financial aid as well, but they may be able to win it back.
For charges of possession, the first offense is loss of financial aid for a year. Second offense is two years and for a third offense, financial aid is suspended indefinitely.
The policy has been in effect since 2000, when an amendment was added to the Higher Education Act, which was passed in 1965.
The last time Congress reevaluated the act, an amendment was tacked on that takes away any federal financial aid if the student has been convicted in state or federal court of possessing or selling illegal drugs.
Students for Sensible Drug Policy ( SSDP ) was formed to oppose the new policy at the national level.
"The policy causes more drug abuse and not less by blocking access to education," said Tom Angell, campaigns director for SSDP.
The federal financial aid is only taken away if there is a state or federal conviction, so unless the student is charged in court, there isn't a risk of losing aid.
At USC, if a student violates the drug policy of the Student Code of Conduct, officials could conduct an informal administrative hearing, a formal administrative hearing and a formal university conduct hearing.
Scott Lewis, director of the Office of Judicial Affairs, emphasizes the distinction between going to court in a criminal process, where you could lose financial aid, and going through USC's judicial system.
When a student is reported by Housing or USC Police to have violated the drug or alcohol policy, the student is usually referred to the Office of Judicial Affairs as part of an administrative process separate from the criminal process.
Usually, for a first-time minor drug offense, the student pays a fine, is put on probation and is assessed by the counseling center, Lewis said. Sometimes, the student is given a series of random drug tests.
"We tailor the sanctions to help students learn from the experience," Lewis said.
The only exception is if a student is charged with distributing drugs, which entails immediate suspension, Lewis said.
Last year, 111 cases of students allegedly violating drug policy were reported. Ninety-eight were found responsible for information only, which is when the charges are virtually dismissed.
For state financial aid such as the Palmetto Fellows or Life scholarships, a completely separate form that has its own certification process is used, said Sharon Lindler, a financial aid office employee.
Students have to sign a form saying they haven't been convicted or pled guilty of a felony or been convicted of a drug-related misdemeanor in any state within the past year.
In the last academic year, 11 students couldn't sign the certification statement, Lindler said. It is usually a low number, she said.
Newshawk: Stoner4Life - 420 Magazine
Source: Gamecock, The (SC Edu)
Pubdate: Wed, 13 Sep 2006
Author: Chelsea Hadaway
Copyright: 2006, The Board of Trustees of the University of South Carolina
Contact: gamecockviewpoints@hotmail.com
Website: The Daily Gamecock
For charges of possession, the first offense is loss of financial aid for a year. Second offense is two years and for a third offense, financial aid is suspended indefinitely.
The policy has been in effect since 2000, when an amendment was added to the Higher Education Act, which was passed in 1965.
The last time Congress reevaluated the act, an amendment was tacked on that takes away any federal financial aid if the student has been convicted in state or federal court of possessing or selling illegal drugs.
Students for Sensible Drug Policy ( SSDP ) was formed to oppose the new policy at the national level.
"The policy causes more drug abuse and not less by blocking access to education," said Tom Angell, campaigns director for SSDP.
The federal financial aid is only taken away if there is a state or federal conviction, so unless the student is charged in court, there isn't a risk of losing aid.
At USC, if a student violates the drug policy of the Student Code of Conduct, officials could conduct an informal administrative hearing, a formal administrative hearing and a formal university conduct hearing.
Scott Lewis, director of the Office of Judicial Affairs, emphasizes the distinction between going to court in a criminal process, where you could lose financial aid, and going through USC's judicial system.
When a student is reported by Housing or USC Police to have violated the drug or alcohol policy, the student is usually referred to the Office of Judicial Affairs as part of an administrative process separate from the criminal process.
Usually, for a first-time minor drug offense, the student pays a fine, is put on probation and is assessed by the counseling center, Lewis said. Sometimes, the student is given a series of random drug tests.
"We tailor the sanctions to help students learn from the experience," Lewis said.
The only exception is if a student is charged with distributing drugs, which entails immediate suspension, Lewis said.
Last year, 111 cases of students allegedly violating drug policy were reported. Ninety-eight were found responsible for information only, which is when the charges are virtually dismissed.
For state financial aid such as the Palmetto Fellows or Life scholarships, a completely separate form that has its own certification process is used, said Sharon Lindler, a financial aid office employee.
Students have to sign a form saying they haven't been convicted or pled guilty of a felony or been convicted of a drug-related misdemeanor in any state within the past year.
In the last academic year, 11 students couldn't sign the certification statement, Lindler said. It is usually a low number, she said.
Newshawk: Stoner4Life - 420 Magazine
Source: Gamecock, The (SC Edu)
Pubdate: Wed, 13 Sep 2006
Author: Chelsea Hadaway
Copyright: 2006, The Board of Trustees of the University of South Carolina
Contact: gamecockviewpoints@hotmail.com
Website: The Daily Gamecock
