Question by : FAFSA drug conviction disqualification?
I’m trying to get back into school and finish my degree, but I’m worried I might be disqualified from receiving financial aid. I was in school for the Fall semester of 2008, and whenever the Fall semester ended I was arrested for a misdemeanor called “Drug Abuse.” Basically, I made a huge mistake on New Year’s Eve and had taken Vicodin and had some on me. I went to jail for half a day, and later received a fine. Right now I’m wondering if being on Winter break between the Fall ’08 and Spring ’09 semester counts as being outside of a period of enrollment. I looked up “period of enrollment” on Google and found it to mean semester on one of the top 10 sites listed. The other sites didn’t say otherwise they just didn’t define “period of enrollment.”

The actual FAFSA question is the following:
Have you been convicted of the possession or sale of illegal drugs and the offense occurred while you were receiving federal student aid (grants, loans, and/or work-study)?

and in non-bold below it:
Count only federal or state convictions for the possession or sale of illegal drugs if the offense occurred during a period of enrollment for which you were receiving federal student aid (grants, loans, and/or work-study).

So yea again I’m thinking it is technically outside of a period of enrollment and doesn’t count. Hopefully, this is the case and I can go back for my senior year and put this all behind me.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks for the quick reply, Ara. I can get my record wiped at the non-medical and non-government level on January 1, 2010. It is hard to find a place that will give me a job now, but after my record is clean I should be okay to apply at most places again. I just completed a Student Aid Eligibility Worksheet and found that even if it is a ‘yes’ that I’ll be eligible for Financial Aid one year after the misdemeanor. This is conveniently before the Spring semester starts so I’m hoping that I can still be awarded aid at that time.
Haha thanks Dazed and Confused. Yea I suppose you are right, but now that I’ve stopped going officially does that mean I’m still enrolled? The Spring semester of ’09 I withdrew my classes to get my head on straight and didn’t schedule any classes for Fall ’09. However, when I called back I asked how I could start going again and they said my file was still active and I just had to start scheduling classes. Does this mean I’m enrolled right now even?

Best answer:

Answer by Ara
fafsa…won’t and can’t give u money..it is a fed regulation….it won’t matter because you will not be able to get a job with ur record…

Answer by dazed&confused
ok sweetie you went back to school right and still received the aid? okay so when your going to a school do you have to re enroll every year to tend? No you don’t and since it was over break your were still enrolled. If I am going to a college for a 4 yr term then I am enrolled and attending that school for the entirety of that 4 yrs when I am on break I am still enrolled and attending but am on break.

ADD ON: And boo to the person above me!! You will still be able to get a job. Do you know if it was deferred adjudication or if you meet the term of your fine if it is wiped off your record? I think as long as you never went through a dis enrollment process you may be in a bit of trouble. Good Luck to you.

Give your answer to this question below!

 

 

Cocaine, meth, Get help for drug abuse, Chicago! – Its not hard to find drugs- , prescription medication, Ending the addiction is the hard part. For help with drug abuse, Chicago, watch this video. Our comprehensive treatment program addresses both mental illness and or drug addiction. Our supportive staff, comfortable accommodations and research-based treatment give you the healing surroundings you need for success.

 

Lawmakers send Patrick bill to help detect, prevent prescription drug abuse

Filed under: help for drug abuse

The House and Senate on Thursday broke through an impasse over a bill intended to crack down on prescription drug abuse and more closely monitor the way prescriptions are dispensed in Massachusetts. The bill attempts to limit the number of doctors who …
Read more on Boston Herald

 

Obama's War on Drugs

Filed under: help for drug abuse

While individuals should be held responsible for breaking the law, the criminal justice system should help bring them into contact with treatment services if they are suffering from a substance use disorder.” Drug policy reform “policies and programs …
Read more on HIGH TIMES

 

Burning Tree adds Business Development in Boston, MA

Filed under: help for drug abuse

Veronica Dinehart will handle Business Development in the Northeast Region based out of Boston. As a former addict in recovery, Dinehart has dedicated herself to helping women with a variety of mental health disorders and substance abuse issues.
Read more on Broadcast Newsroom

 

Russell Brand filmed drugs documentary to help addicts

Filed under: help for drug abuse

Brand has also called on officials to overhaul the laws on drug use in the country. He adds, “I think what the government is doing wrong is directing too much (sic) funds towards methadone and harm reduction and not giving people the correct …
Read more on The Nation