Which criminal charges affect student aid?

If your child gets into trouble with the law, something you may be concerned about is if they’ll be able to get aid to go to college. In some cases, the charges they face may have a negative impact on their ability to get aid, which could hurt their ability to go to school.

Which kinds of charges could lead to the revocation of aid? Here are a few that you should know about.

Criminal charges that affect student aid

One of the first criminal charges that affect student aid is drug possession. Students who are attending or who would like to attend schools on federal aid may find that they cannot get aid for at least one year after a conviction for drug possession or the possession of drug paraphernalia.

If your child is convicted of this kind of crime more than once, the length of time where they won’t be able to get financial aid from the federal government will increase. After a third conviction, they may never able to get aid, but there may be exceptions for those who go through a substance abuse program.

Selling drugs can also lead to restrictions on student aid. Usually, drug dealing is taken more seriously than using, but this isn’t always the case. Regardless, a student who is caught selling drugs may not be able to get federal financial aid for two years from the date of the conviction. Second convictions may permanently ban them from getting aid unless they complete a substance abuse program.

Will students lose scholarship opportunities because of drug-related convictions?

It’s possible that students could lose scholarship opportunities if they are convicted of drug-related crimes. It’s important to talk to the school to determine if they will enroll students with a history of drug-related crimes or offer scholarships to them. Many times, students who are convicted while in school are expelled or suspended. In some cases, the penalties also include revoking scholarships or other aid granted by the school, particularly if that aid is coming from the federal government.

If your child is in trouble with the law, take steps to protect their rights. A good defense may help them maintain their aid eligibility.