Spring Break
Financial aid: Your anti-drug?
Rachel Cabamongan
Issue date: 10/26/07 Section: News
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HONOLULU - Students who are on financial aid and are caught smoking marijuana could see their federal assistance go up in smoke.
The Higher Education Act was established in 1965 to provide educational resources for college students through financial aid programs. In 1998, a revision was added to the act to include a drug provision that has since denied or delayed financial aid to 200,000 potential aid recipients because of drug convictions. The drug provision was added to the act as a means of creating a no-tolerance for drug-use atmosphere at college campuses nationwide.
University of Hawaii Financial Aid Director Linda Clemons explained that question 31 on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid exposes drug offenders by asking them if they have ever been convicted of "possessing or selling illegal drugs" while receiving federal student aid. If the applicant responds "yes," then they are required to fill out an additional worksheet to determine if and when they can resume eligibility.
She added that if a student receives a drug conviction during the school year while receiving financial aid, they must immediately notify their financial aid office and the balance awarded must be returned.
"If they knowingly or willingly provide misleading information, they can be fined $20,000, sent to prison or more," Clemons said.
The law does not affect students with drug convictions prior to receiving financial aid.
"I think it is messed up that a minor offense like having a small amount of weed can screw up your financial aid eligibility," said sophomore Russell Sasaki. "So many students do it that you can almost say it is a part of college life."
Junior Michael Okinaga feels differently.
"I believe that it is right to take away financial aid from a student who does or sells weed, because it is illegal. I think financial aid should be given to hard-working students since not all students are lucky enough to receive it," Okinaga said.
The Higher Education Act was established in 1965 to provide educational resources for college students through financial aid programs. In 1998, a revision was added to the act to include a drug provision that has since denied or delayed financial aid to 200,000 potential aid recipients because of drug convictions. The drug provision was added to the act as a means of creating a no-tolerance for drug-use atmosphere at college campuses nationwide.
University of Hawaii Financial Aid Director Linda Clemons explained that question 31 on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid exposes drug offenders by asking them if they have ever been convicted of "possessing or selling illegal drugs" while receiving federal student aid. If the applicant responds "yes," then they are required to fill out an additional worksheet to determine if and when they can resume eligibility.
She added that if a student receives a drug conviction during the school year while receiving financial aid, they must immediately notify their financial aid office and the balance awarded must be returned.
"If they knowingly or willingly provide misleading information, they can be fined $20,000, sent to prison or more," Clemons said.
The law does not affect students with drug convictions prior to receiving financial aid.
"I think it is messed up that a minor offense like having a small amount of weed can screw up your financial aid eligibility," said sophomore Russell Sasaki. "So many students do it that you can almost say it is a part of college life."
Junior Michael Okinaga feels differently.
"I believe that it is right to take away financial aid from a student who does or sells weed, because it is illegal. I think financial aid should be given to hard-working students since not all students are lucky enough to receive it," Okinaga said.
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