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Federal Student Financial Aid Penalties for Drug Law Violations

SUSPENSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR DRUG-RELATED OFFENSES

A student who has been convicted of any offense under any Federal or State law involving the possession or sale of a controlled substance shall not be eligible to receive any grant, loan, or work assistance under this title during the period beginning on the date of such conviction and ending after the interval specified in the following lists: If convicted of an offense involving the possession of a controlled substance:

  • First offense – 1 year
  • Second offense – 2 years
  • Third offense – Indefinite

If convicted of an offense involving the sale of a controlled substance:

  • First offense – 2 years
  • Second offense – Indefinite

REHABILITATION — A student whose eligibility has been suspended may resume eligibility before the end of the ineligibility period determined if:

  • the student satisfactorily completes a drug rehabilitation program
  • the student successfully passes two unannounced drug tests conducted by a drug rehabilitation program
  • or the conviction is reversed, set aside, or otherwise rendered nugatory