How does a drug conviction impact my eligibility for federal student loans?

If you have been convicted of a federal or state crime for possession or sale of a controlled substance, your eligibility for federal financial aid may be suspended beginning on the date you are convicted. Ordinance violations, frequently referred to as “FO” or forfeiture cases, are not criminal convictions, as they are civil violations.

If you are convicted of possessing a controlled substance, you are ineligible for federal financial aid as follows:

First Offense 1 year
Second Offense 2 years
Third Offense Indefinitely

If you are convicted of selling a controlled substance, you are ineligible for federal financial aid as follows:

First Offense 2 years
Second Offense Indefinitely

How can I get my eligibility back?

You can have your eligibility reinstated before the end of your suspension period in one of two ways:

1) Participation in and completion of a drug rehabilitation program that includes at least two unannounced drug tests

2) The conviction is reversed, set aside or otherwise rendered nugatory.

For more information, contact your school’s financial aid office or go to http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/before013.htm.

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