Drug Question Could Be Removed from Financial Aid Form February 14, 2005
News Summary
A congressional panel has recommended that a question about past drug use be removed from federal student financial-aid forms, The State, the newspaper of Michigan State University, reported Feb. 3.As the result of a 1998 law banning students with drug convictions from receiving federal education aid, the Department of Education added a question to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) about past drug convictions. However, under intense criticism in recent years, bill sponsor Rep. Mark Souder (R-Ind.) has said that the law was supposed to apply only to students who are convicted of drug offenses while receiving aid, not to everyone with a past history of drug offenses. A Souder spokesperson said that the Education Department has misinterpreted the law and that Souder is working to fix the problem.
"The drug question is irrelevant -- it is not something that should even be taken into account," said Tom Angell, communications director for Students for Sensible Drug Policy, which opposes the Souder law. "The appearance of the question on the form could deter students from applying, even if they are actually eligible."
MSU officials said they have never denied aid to students because of the question, and that most of the time students answer the question incorrectly.
The Souder spokesperson said that although the Indiana congressman wants the law interpreted more narrowly, linking aid and drug use remains a sound strategy. "The reasoning behind the law is simple. Students who receive taxpayer money to go to college have to obey the law," the spokesperson said.
But Angell called the law "counterproductive to reduce drug abuse in our country. Many students are left wondering how closing doors to education will help the drug problem."
COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE: