Drug Convictions Lead to Financial Aid Denials

The Higher Education Act (HEA) provides financial aid to students in postsecondary and higher education. Those who have been convicted of drug offenses, however, are denied that aid under the Aid Elimination Provision of the Act. This means that thousands of students seeking loans and financial assistance for work-study programs have been declared ineligible for the program since the inception of the provision. The HEA was passed into law in 1965 and has been consistently renewed since then.

Despite the provision being challenged by the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) as being discriminatory, it was upheld by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. According to the ACLU, students with drug convictions, no matter how minor, are subject to financial aid denials under the HEA that may last from one year to a lifetime while those convicted of other crimes, even murder, are not. Under the provision, students convicted of drug possession are denied aid for periods of one or two years, or indefinitely if they have three convictions. Students convicted of drug sales are barred from aid for two years or indefinitely if they have two or more convictions.

Fight Drug Charges in Pasadena, California

If you are a student or any other individual who is facing drug charges in or around the Pasadena area, getting capable legal representation is a key factor in your defense. At the Law Offices of Matthew Cargal, you will find a Pasadena criminal defense attorney with more than 20 years of legal experience. His firm is devoted exclusively to criminal defense and has earned a reputation for aggressive and competent legal representation, with bilingual Spanish-English service.

A drug conviction can seriously impact your future, as seen by the above references to federal financial aid for students. Don't let your future be adversely affected by drug charges. Get the help you need from a dedicated professional who will fight to protect your legal rights and safeguard your future. To find out how the firm can help you, contact them at www.pasadenacriminaldefensefirm.com to arrange for a consultation.