Many college students at local colleges, universities and trade schools get work study jobs to help pay for the rising cost of higher education. Other students obtain federal student loans or receive federal grants to pay for school. If you are a college student who receives federal student aid, a drug conviction can derail your education.
A number of circumstances can result in your becoming ineligible for federal student aid. If you are convicted for possessing or selling illegal drugs (such as marijuana) while you are receiving federal student aid you might lose your grant, loan, or work study position. A number of factors drive eligibility, such as whether the offense occurred during a period of enrollment for which you were receiving federal student aid; whether you have completed drug rehabilitation; and when the conviction occurred, among other things.
Any student who receives federal student aid and has been convicted for either possessing or selling illegal drugs can call 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) to learn whether or not you will retain your eligibility for federal student aid. You also can visit www.student aid.ed.gov for more information.
Here’s the takeaway. Getting high in college can end up being a really expensive buzz. You cannot assume that you will retain your eligibility for federal student aid if you are convicted of selling or even possessing illegal drugs, like marijuana. And, more importantly, you should not wait until after you are convicted to get the answers to the questions that affect your academic future.
If you face drug allegations and are (or plan to) receive federal student aid, such as work study, grants or loans, call an Erie criminal lawyer who is knowledgeable about all of the collateral consequences (i.e., all of the bad stuff) associated with a drug conviction before you plead guilty.
Tim George has been a lawyer since 1992. He defends the freedom of college students accused of criminal offenses, such as possession of marijuana in Erie and throughout northwest Pennsylvania, including Edinboro, Erie, North East and Meadville. You may schedule an office consultation by calling (888) 748-9909.