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Drug Convictions & Eligibility

Penalties for Drug Violations

Consumer Information

A federal or state drug conviction during a semester in which you received financial aid can disqualify you from future financial aid funds. A conviction only counts if it is an offense that occurs during a period of enrollment for which you receive federal financial aid, such as a Pell Grant, Work-study or Student Loan. Convictions do not count if the offense occurred during a semester in which you did not receive aid or the conviction was reversed, set aside or removed from your record or you received the conviction as a juvenile (unless you were tried as an adult).

Loss of aid can be as follows:

Possession of Illegal Drugs Sale of Illegal Drugs
1st Offense Ineligible for aid for 1 year from date of conviction Ineligible for aid for 2 years from date of conviction
2nd Offense Ineligible for aid for 2 years from date of conviction Indefinitely ineligible for aid*
3+ Offenses Indefinitely ineligible for aid* Indefinitely ineligible for aid*

A student regains eligibility:

  • The day after the period of ineligibility ends or
  • When s/he successfully completes a qualified drug rehabilitation program or
  • If s/he passes two unannounced drug tests given by a qualified drug rehabilitation program

If you are denied eligibility indefinitely, you can regain eligibility after:

  • Successfully completing a rehabilitation program or
  • Passing two unannounced drug tests from a qualified drug rehabilitation program or
  • If a conviction is reversed, set aside or removed from your record so that fewer than two convictions remain on your record. The nature and dates of your remaining conviction(s) will determine when you regain eligibility. See workshee: http://www.ifap.ed.gov/eannouncements/attachments/011311DrugWorksheetENAttach.pdf

Qualified Drug Rehabilitation Program

A qualified drug rehabilitation program must include at least two unannounced drug tests and must satisfy at least one of the following:

  • Be qualified to receive funds directly or indirectly from a federal, state or local government program
  • 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

Check with the Financial Aid Team to see if your drug rehabilitation program is a qualified program for financial aid purposes.

Article printed from Northern Essex Community College: http://www.necc.mass.edu

URL to article: http://www.necc.mass.edu/getting-started/financial-aid/drug-conviction-policy/

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