Drug Convictions and Federal Student Aid

Do Drug Convictions Affect Federal Student Aid?

A drug conviction does not by itself make a student ineligible for federal financial aid.

The U.S. Department of Education no longer asks about drug convictions on the FAFSA. A student with a drug conviction may still be eligible for federal student aid if the student meets all other eligibility requirements.

Federal Drug Abuse Hold

In some cases, a federal or state court may impose a drug abuse hold that affects a person's eligibility for certain federal benefits, including federal student aid.

The FAFSA processing system checks for applicable federal drug abuse holds. If a hold is identified, the Financial Aid Office will follow federal requirements to determine the student's eligibility for federal financial aid.

If you have questions about a drug abuse hold or how it may affect your financial aid, please contact the Financial Aid Office.

Important: A drug conviction alone does not cause your federal financial aid to be suspended or canceled.