Financial Aid Penalties for Drug Law Violations
The question on the FAFSA regarding drug offenses asks about convictions for possessing or selling illegal drugs (not including alcohol and tobacco) if the offense occurred during a period of enrollment for which you were receiving federal student aid (grants, loans, and/or work-study). When answering this question, do not count convictions that have been removed from your record. Also, do not count convictions that occurred before you turned 18, unless you were tried as an adult.
Student Aid Eligibility Worksheet
To determine whether a drug offense affects your eligibility click here to go to the Student Aid Eligibility Worksheet.
After you fill out the Student Aid Eligibility Worksheet, your responses will result in one of these answers:
| Answer |
Means |
| 1. No |
Eligible. Your eligibility for federal student aid is not affected. |
| 2. Yes (partially during the year) |
Partially eligible. You will become eligible for federal aid during the
school year. You can become eligible earlier in the school year if you
complete an acceptable drug rehabilitation program. |
| 3. Yes/Don't Know |
Ineligible / don't know. You are not eligible for federal aid for this
school year unless you complete an acceptable drug rehabilitation
program. You may still be eligible for state and school aid.
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Even if you are not eligible for federal aid, you may be eligible for state aid or aid from your school financial aid office. If you become eligible for federal financial aid (for example, if your eligibility date arrives or if you complete an acceptable drug rehabilitation program), notify the financial aid administrator at your school. If you are convicted of possessing or selling drugs after you submit your FAFSA, you must notify your financial aid administrator immediately. You will lose your eligibility and be required to pay back all aid you received after your conviction.
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