Repealing the Ban on Student Loans for People with Drug Convictions

LAC continues to advocate for full repeal of the ban on student loans for people with drug convictions.  In 2006, President Bush signed into law a large piece of legislation that includes a provision that modifies the ban on student federal financial aid for people convicted of drug crimes.  Public Law 109-171 partially repeals the ban on student federal financial aid for people convicted of drug crimes so that only students who are convicted of a drug offense while they are in school and receiving federal financial assistance will be affected by the ban.  As of July 1, 2006, the ban no longer applies to students who were convicted of drug crimes prior to their enrollment and application for federal financial aid.   

Under the old law, a student who was convicted of a drug offense was unable to receive federal grants, loans or work assistance for higher education or had to wait a certain amount of time before he or she would become eligible to receive federal student aid.   Under the new law, only individuals who have been convicted of drug crimes while enrolled in higher education and receiving federal financial assistance will be affected by the ban. 

Click here for additional information on repealing the ban on student loans for people with drug convictions

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