Drug Law Violations and Consequences
A federal or state drug conviction for possession, sale, or conspiring to sell illegal drugs can affect your eligibility to receive federal student financial aid (including loans, grants, and work study).
If the offense occurs while you are receiving federal student financial aid, you will lose eligibility for federal student aid for a certain time period, depending on the conviction and whether you have previous convictions.
Conviction for Possession of Illegal Drugs
For possession of illegal drugs, you are not eligible for financial aid:
- For one year from the date of conviction for a first offense
- For two years from the date of conviction for a second offense
- For an indefinite period if convicted of two or more offenses
Conviction for Sale of Illegal Drugs
For sale of illegal drugs, you are not eligible for financial aid:
- For two years from the date of conviction for a first offense
- For an indefinite period if convicted of two or more offenses.
Conviction for Possession and Sale of Illegal Drugs
If convicted of both possessing and selling drugs, you will be ineligible for the longer of the time periods previously indicated.
Convictions That Do Not Count
Unless tried as an adult, convictions received while a juvenile are not considered, nor are convictions that are reversed, set aside, or removed from your record.
How to Regain Eligibility
You may regain eligibility for federal student financial aid after the period of ineligibility ends or when you have completed a qualified drug rehabilitation program.
