This is an article I wrote for my school paper that I feel very strongly about, and i feel every college student should be aware of this issue .. the internet is rich in resources about the topic so you are encourage to read more, there are many petitions, events and other ways to show your support if you wish to do so. PS, Castleton is the name of my school so as not to confuse
The price of drugs at Castleton could be a year’s tuition, due a clause in the Higher Education act (HEA), which suspends finical aid to those convicted of a drug charge. Most surprising, walking around this campus, students don’t seem to know.
“That’s news to me.” Kelly Marrone, Education Major
Taking effect in 2000, more than 200,000 students have been denied finical aid based on these convictions. When the law was first enacted it straight out denied aid to everyone with a drug conviction. Last summer, the penalty softened into a three strikes your out penalty, one conviction, one year of aid suspended, two convictions, two years, three strikes and you lose it for good. Another change is the law now only effects enrolled college students.
Democratic representative Bobby Scott of Virginia fought for an amendment just weeks ago to eliminate this provision entirely. This would give power back to the judge who could incorporate finical aid loss into the punishment, but would not be mandated to do so.
The Baltimore Sun detailed Scott’s passion
"You don't have this prohibition for people convicted of rape, armed robbery, child pornography, drunk driving. You just get caught with a little bit of pot, you lose your college education."
Some of Castleton’s professors seemed equally passionate
“It’s oppressive, it’s an unfair penalty given the victimless crime involved” words of conviction from Professor Tomas Conroy
Katherine O’Meara of the financial aid office spoke of injustice, when asked to give her opinion on students being asked about drug convictions on the FASFA
“It shouldn’t be asked at all” said the nodding O’Meara, who was happy converse.
O’Meara, like many others has faith in the courts to dole out the proper punishment in a drug instance, her attitude is that of personal responsibility and redemption.
“They will have had to pay the consequence, they have to do that... it’s about second chances” O’Meara said seriously.
Castleton students seem to share this sentiment
“I think it should be up to the judge because if a kid gets in trouble for drugs and wants to turn their life around, the judge can decide if they are sincere”. Emma Deis after a moment of thought.
Deis wasn’t the only student wanting to speak out Elizabeth Sailer, the lone student slightly familiar with the controversy before being interviewed had some good points to share.
“I don’t think it’s fair right now (college) is when you make your mistakes, that has no reflection on if they deserve money for education” Sailer spoke quickly, passion rising in her demeanor, and she moved forward more interested.
Perhaps most surprising, is the sheer number and prestige of the organizations who share our students perspective. These organizations have petitioned in favor of a full repeal of the policy, the American Bar Association, American Civil Liberties Union and American Federation of Teachers along with 333 others including the NAACP, who is particularly active in the fight for repeal.
The level of effectiveness of a policy like this is challenged by the government’s own data.
Statistics from the U.S Department of Heath and Human Services directly correlates college educated persons with lower instance of current illicit drug use, despite those with a college education are more likely to have tried drugs at some point.
“I sometimes hear about occasional drug use, but those kids say they don’t plan on doing it when they are older.” Shared aforementioned Sailer punctuating words with talking hands. The data would support students tend to follow through on their word.
Castleton students don’t deny there isn’t drug use on campus, and with 31 drug incidents this year reported by public safety, students need to be aware of the consequences, so they can decide if a dime sack is worth the seven grand it might cost them.
Side Bar Facts
(US. Dept of heath and human services --2001 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse)
Data from 2001
(ages 18+)
College graduates current use lowest at 4.3%
College graduates who tried at some point highest w/ 47.2%
Non-high school graduates scored highest at current use w/ 7.6%
Non-high school graduates scored lowest on having tried it at some point w/ 32%
Nearly 200,000 students have been denied financial aid since the law making drug offenders ineligible for it was enacted in 2000 (???) This is a concerning number. The saddest thing is that at least 30% of them might end up in drug rehabs.