You Lose Your Student Loans

You’re checking your eligibility for federal student aid when you reach the following statement:

“It is the law! You might not be able to receive federal student aid if you have been convicted of selling or possessing illegal drugs…”

And when you start filling out the eligibility worksheet, you get to this question:

“Have you been convicted for the possession or sale of illegal drugs for an offense that occurred while you were receiving federal student aid (grants, loans or work-study)?”

It’s just one question out of dozens on a complex form, but if you’ve been convicted of a drug crime, this question can have a big impact on your future.

Students convicted of drug crimes—possessing or selling illegal drugs—while receiving federal student aid could lose their grants, loans, and/or work-study.

As part of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process, students convicted of a drug offense have to complete an eligibility worksheet that will determine if they’re eligible, partially eligible, or ineligible for federal student aid.

Students convicted of controlled substances crimes may be able to regain eligibility for federal student aid after a waiting period or by successfully completing a drug rehabilitation program.