Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) has introduced a bill that seeks to make college more affordable for all students and which contains a provision that would eliminate the federal student aid ban for individuals with drug convictions, reports the Legal Action Center S. 1793, the “College Quality, Affordability, and Diversity Improvement Act of 2003,” coincides with Congressional action to reauthorize the Higher Education Act of 1998 (HEA) - the single largest source of student aid in the U.S. - during the 108th Congress.
In 1998, the HEA was amended by Congress to delay or deny federal financial aid to students on the basis of any drug offense – even a minor marijuana conviction. Over 100,000 students have been penalized under this provision. There are no similar laws denying aid to violent or other criminal offenders – including murderers. S. 1793 contains a provision on “student eligibility” that would remove this ban on financial aid for students convicted of drug crimes.
The bill is co-sponsored by five other Democratic Senators who serve on the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.
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11-18-03
In 1998, the HEA was amended by Congress to delay or deny federal financial aid to students on the basis of any drug offense – even a minor marijuana conviction. Over 100,000 students have been penalized under this provision. There are no similar laws denying aid to violent or other criminal offenders – including murderers. S. 1793 contains a provision on “student eligibility” that would remove this ban on financial aid for students convicted of drug crimes.
The bill is co-sponsored by five other Democratic Senators who serve on the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.
link
11-18-03
