A Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is one of the best ways that aspiring students today can pursue higher education without worrying as much about the massive price tag attached.
However, it is important to note how to handle reporting a potential criminal history on the FAFSA form.
DUI versus drug convictions
The website for Federal Student Aid discusses the eligibility of students with criminal convictions. First, note that having an arrest or conviction for intoxicated driving with alcohol is perhaps something a person does not have to disclose in the FAFSA form.
However, this may not be the case for a drug conviction. For example, if an officer pulls a person over on suspicion of DUI, they might find drugs or drug paraphernalia in the car. Convictions for the possession or selling of controlled substances is something that must be included on the FAFSA form.
In most cases, any drug convictions will result in the automatic suspension of government-based financial backing in just about any form, including attending school.
Damage to other financial support forms
A person may also be able to keep their FAFSA with a DUI with no drug convictions involved, but it can still harm other forms of financial support. As an example, a private scholarship fund might have rules about conduct and getting a DUI may violate these rules, thus getting a person kicked out of the fund.
Thus, a DUI on record does have the potential to get in a person’s way of attending college and achieving their educational goals.
