I have a young aquaintance at work who got a mj possession citation

[Nikia]

In Wisconsin. It was a simple fine, just like a traffic ticket. Does this mean that he is completely ineligible for Federal financial aid? The offense happened last year and he was an aduly by then.
It is my understanding that there is now a law in affect that denies Federal financial aid to anyone ever convicted of a drug related offense.
The reason that I ask is because he wants to go to college, but will have trouble paying for it. I don't want to suggest that he apply for Federal aid if he will be denied based on this.
I think that is completely unfair if that is true.

[bluestateguy]

1. You may want to check with a financial aid counselor at a university

There may be a distinction between felony vs. misdemeanor convictions.

This law is very unfair to economically disadvantaged students. It says that rich frat boys, who do not need financial aid, can avoid consequences beyond their drug convictions, but people who might need aid for college must continue to be punished.

[eyesroll]

3. What I find stupid is that, technically, a convicted rapist can get financial aid immediately.

(Assuming the convicted rapist is not in prison and gets into college, anyhow.)

Yet a simple drug possession arrest can screw things up...

[Nikia]

5. I find that ridiculous too

As if possessing drugs makes someone less deserving of an education than a dangerous criminal.

[eyesroll]

2. It only applies if the recipient was already receiving federal aid at the time of the conviction,

and even then, for a single possession conviction, eligibility is restored after a year, sooner if s/he completes "acceptable rehab." So, if your friend's conviction will be a year old by the time he starts needing aid, he should be fine. Multiple convictions, or selling, can complicate things.

Also, the State of Wisconsin, individual college scholarships and private programs are not subject to this same restriction. It's just federal aid.

He can visit this site for more info and to find out if he'll have a problem with eligibility:
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/before013.htm

[Nikia]

4. Thanks for the info

Based on this, it looks like he will be eligible.

[bamacrat]

6. Probably not, if it was only a misdemeanor.

When I was filing for my student loans they only asked about felonies, but they have access to all records so I dont know. Thats cool he only got a ticket, here in Alabama he would still be in jail.