Federal Student Financial Aid Penalties for Drug Law Violations

Federal Student Financial Aid Penalties for Drug Law Violations

A student who has been convicted of any offense under any Federal or State law involving the possession or sale of a controlled substance for conduct that occurred during a period of enrollment in which federal student aid was received may not be eligible to receive federal student aid (including any grant, loan, or work assistance) during the period beginning on the date of such conviction and ending after the interval specified in the following table:

If convicted of an offense involving the possession of a controlled substance:
Ineligibility period is:	First offense	1 year
	Second offense	2 years
	Third offense	Indefinite
The sale of a controlled substance:
Ineligibility period is:	First offense	2 years
	Second offense	Indefinite

 

A student whose eligibility has been suspended based on a conviction for possession or sale of a controlled substance may resume eligibility before the end of the ineligibility period if:

1. the student satisfactorily completes a drug rehabilitation program that:
   1. complies with the criteria prescribed in the federal regulations; and
   2. includes two unannounced drug tests;
        
2. the student successfully passes two unannounced drug tests conducted by a drug rehabilitation program that complies with the criteria prescribed in the federal regulations; or
     
3. the conviction is reversed, set aside, or otherwise rendered invalid.

To determine whether or not you meet eligibility guidelines, click and go to the following Federal Student Aid Website.