Can Someone Help Me Understand This FAFSA Form for Me a Little Better?

Question by Robin: Can someone help me understand this FAFSA form for me a little better?
There’s a little paragraph in the beginning of the paper form I was given to apply for Financial Aid to a Cosmetology school I plan on attending after my baby is born. It reads and I quote: “A conviction for any offense, during a period of enrollment for which you will be receiving Title IV, HEA Program funds, under any federal or state law involving the posession or sale of illegal drugs will result in the loss of elifibility for any Title IV aid, HEA grant, loan or work-study assistance.” followed by the law code after this paragraph.

With that being said, is this paragraph telling me that I am not eligible if I had possession prior to applying or is it if I had possession or sold during the time of me applying for Financial Aid?

Please and thanks.

Best answer:

Answer by Cassi
You are not eligible if you are charged with possession while *receiving* financial aid.

Answer by nancy
What this means is that you may not be eligible to receive federal student aid if you were convicted of a drug offense while you were going to college and receiving FAFSA funding. A conviction that happened while you weren’t in college and receiving student aid doesn’t count. Basically what they’re saying is that they don’t want you to use student aid funds to buy your weed.

Even if you were convicted while you were receiving funds, it doesn’t mean that you can never get financial aid again. The length of time before you can qualify again varies with the crime, but for possession it’s usually one year. You can get your aid reinstated sooner if you complete an approved rehab program and pass 2 unannounced drug tests.

If you’re in doubt about whether this affects you, contact the financial aid department at your school.