The Effect of a Conviction for Illegal Drugs on Student Loans and Work-Study Programs
If a student is convicted of either possessing an illegal drug or selling an illegal drug, the conviction will prevent the student from receiving funds from a Federal student aid program. The conviction will only render the student ineligible if they are convicted when the student is receiving aid. Therefore, if the person receives a drug conviction prior to receiving student aid, it will not render the person ineligible to receive student aid. Under the law, a person is considered to be “receiving student aid” on the day that classes start and will include holiday breaks. However, summer breaks do not count as a period of time that the student is “receiving aid” unless the student is enrolled in summer classes.