Federal Student Financial Aid Penalties for Drug Law Violations

Be advised that a student who is convicted of any offense under any Federal or State law involving the possession or sale of a controlled substance while enrolled in an institution of higher education and receiving any federal financial aid (e.g. grant, loan, or work assistance) will lose his/her eligibility for such federal assistance according to the following schedule:

If convicted of an offense involving the possession of a controlled substance, the ineligibility period is:

First Offense	1 year
Second Offense	2 years
Third Offense	Indefinite

If convicted of an offense involving the sale of a controlled substance, the ineligibility period is:

First Offense	2 years
Second Offense	Indefinite

A student whose eligibility has been suspended based on a conviction for possession or sale of a controlled substance may resume eligibility before the end of the ineligibility period if:

1. the student satisfactorily completes a drug rehabilitation program that:
   
   • complies with the criteria prescribed in the federal regulations; and
   • includes two unannounced drug tests;
2. the student successfully passes two unannounced drug tests conducted by a drug rehabilitation program that complies with the criteria prescribed in the federal regulations; or
3. the conviction is reversed, set aside, or otherwise rendered nugatory.