A drug conviction can have serious repercussions for residents of Alabama. Convicted individuals who are college students with student loans or who are trying to obtain them can have additional trouble.
What happens to student loans with a drug conviction?
People who get convicted of drug violations such as possessing, selling, or trafficking illegal drugs are often disqualified from obtaining student loans. Some types of financial aid may still be available. Students are required to answer questions on aid applications, including whether they have ever been convicted of a drug-related offense while on student aid.
How long is a person ineligible for student loans after a drug conviction?
The length of time a person is ineligible depends on the specific drug violations and their number of previous violations. However, ineligibility for student loans typically lasts a year for the first offense of drug possession and two years for a second offense. If the person has had three violations, they could be permanently barred from receiving student loans.
If the crime involved selling drugs, the person could be ineligible for two years for a first offense and permanently for a second or third. It’s also possible to lose eligibility for student loans if the individual is arrested and convicted for a drug-related crime after completing an application. In some cases, the student might even be required to return funds that were awarded to them. The nature of the crime is a huge factor in that.
How can the student become eligible again?
Although drug violations result in ineligibility for student loans, the student can become eligible again. One way is by completing a drug rehab program, and another is consistently passing random drug tests administered by a rehab program.
If a person has a conviction that is reversed, it doesn’t count toward their eligibility. They would be able to qualify for student loans again.
