Whether you are a college student facing a drug charge or the concerned parent of one, you might wonder how a pending drug charge may affect the future. In addition to fines, incarceration or other penalties, you may face certain consequences from your school.
As a college student facing drug charges, you may lose your scholarships through your school but likely not lose your federal financial aid. Taking steps to lessen the impact of a drug conviction may help save your financial situation.
Eligibility for financial aid
You likely agreed to follow a code of conduct during the application process for your college’s financial aid package. The university’s rules probably prohibit the use, possession or sale of controlled substances. Check if this code includes information about a drug conviction affecting your scholarships or grants.
Private scholarships and student loans may also have strict requirements, such as a clean criminal record. A drug conviction can disqualify you from receiving private scholarships for future semesters. Without the option of student loans to fund your higher education, you may have to rely on other forms of funding, including credit cards or personal loans.
Minimizing the impact
When you complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), answer all questions truthfully, disclose your convictions and fill out any related paperwork. You can also speak with your university financial aid advisor to help you with your options. Consider applying to scholarships that do not have strict requirements, such as disclosing criminal history. Finally, check if your college or university offers a drug rehabilitation program to help students overcome addiction.
Overall, you can take steps to mitigate how a drug conviction may affect your future, including your college financial aid.