Loss of Eligibility Due to A Drug Violation:
A student who is convicted of a state or federal drug offense while enrolled in school and receiving federal student aid is ineligible for federal student aid. The chart below explains the period of ineligibility for federal student aid funds:
Possession of illegal drugs Sale of illegal drugs
1st Offense 1 year from date of conviction 2 years from date of conviction
2nd Offense 2 years from date of conviction Indefinite period
3+ Offenses Indefinite period
Regaining Eligibility after a Drug Conviction:
A student regains eligibility the day after the period of ineligibility ends or when they successfully complete a qualified drug rehabilitation program that includes passing two unannounced drug tests given by such a program.
A drug rehabilitation program is considered qualified if it includes at least two unannounced drug tests and meets one of the following requirements:
- Be qualified to receive funds directly or indirectly from a federal, state, or local government.
- Be qualified to receive payment directly or indirectly from a federally or state-licensed insurance company.
- Be administered or recognized by a federal, state, or local government agency or court.
- Be administered or recognized by a federally or state-licensed hospital, health clinic, or medical doctor.
Students denied eligibility for an indefinite period can regain it by successfully completing a rehabilitation program or if a conviction is reversed, set aside, or removed from the student’s record so that fewer than two convictions for sale or three convictions for possession remain on the record.
* Please note: Starting with the 2021-2022 award year. As described in Dear Colleague Letter GEN-21-4, the FAFSA Simplification Act eliminated the prohibition on receiving Title IV aid for students with drug-related convictions