Drug Convictions ( a single conviction under a drug offense could have resulted in immediate and permanent ineligibility for federal student aid. As of 2009, however, it’s become more of a "three strikes" rule...Selling or conspiring to sell illegal drugs has a slightly shorter leash: After conviction for a first offense, students lose aid eligibility for two years and then lose eligibility indefinitely after their second offense. The clock for the ineligible period starts from the date of conviction, rather than the date of the offense...Students who have their federal aid revoked because of a drug conviction can regain eligibility through rehabilitation and drug testing programs.) https://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/student-loan-ranger/2015/04/15/drug-convictions-can-send-financial-aid-up-in-smoke

How can I find out if my drug conviction will disqualify me from federal financial aid?

If you have a drug conviction(s) for these offenses, complete the Student Aid Eligibility 

Worksheet for the drug conviction question on the FAFSA to determine if your conviction affects 

your eligibility for aid. You can also call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-

FED-AID (1-800-433-3243). 

Even if you are not eligible for federal aid, you may be eligible for aid from the College of Law. 

If you are ineligible for federal financial aid, but then become eligible (for example, if your 

eligibility date arrives or if you complete an acceptable drug rehabilitation program), notify the 

Office of Student Financial Planning at finaid@law.stetson.edu immediately so they can assist 

you in exploring aid options. 

If I do have a covered drug conviction, what are the periods of ineligibility for federal 

financial aid?

If you have been convicted of any offense under any federal or state law involving the possession 

or sale of a controlled substance, you are not eligible to receive any grant, loan, or work 

assistance under Title IV during the period from the date of the conviction and through the 

interval specified below. 

The period of ineligibility for federal student aid funds varies depending on whether the 

conviction was for sale or possession and whether you had previous offenses. If you were 

convicted of both possessing and selling illegal drugs, and the periods of ineligibility are 

different, you will be ineligible for the longer period. 

Possession of Illegal Drugs:

First Offense: one year from date of conviction

Second Offense: two years from date of conviction

Third+ Offenses: indefinite period

Sale of Illegal Drugs:

First Offense: two years from date of conviction

Second Offense: indefinite period

Third+ Offenses: indefinite period

NOTE: A conviction that was reversed, set aside, or removed from the student’s record does not 

count, nor does one received when the student was a juvenile, unless the student was tried as an 

adult. Further, you may be able to resume eligibility before the end of your ineligibility period if 

you satisfactorily complete an acceptable drug rehabilitation program, discussed in more detail 

below.

If I have one or more drug convictions, should I still apply for student aid?

Yes, even if you have drug convictions, you should complete and submit a FAFSA. You may be 

eligible, depending on the date and number of convictions. Even if you are ineligible for federal 

student aid, you may still be eligible for scholarships or other types of aid from other programs.

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In addition, you can regain eligibility for the federal programs no matter how many or what type 

of drug convictions you have by successfully completing an acceptable drug rehabilitation 

program that meets the standards set by Congress and the Department of Education. Doing so 

means you will regain eligibility on the date you complete the program. This is discussed below 

in more detail.

What is an acceptable drug rehabilitation program?

An acceptable drug rehabilitation program must:

a. have two unannounced drug tests, and 

b. it must either:

1. Be qualified to receive funds from a federal, state or local government agency or 

program, or from a state-licensed insurance company, or

2. Be administered or recognized by a federal, state or local government agency or 

court, or by a state-licensed hospital, health clinic, or medical doctor. 

If you want to find out if a drug rehabilitation program meets the described standards, you need 

to contact the rehabilitation program.

Before enrolling in a program, you are urged to verify that program completion will also serve as

suitable evidence of rehabilitation in support of any subsequent effort to be admitted to practice 

law. Most state bars will look for such information as part of the character and fitness 

assessment for admission to practice law.

I submitted my FAFSA before I was convicted. What do I do?

If you are convicted of possessing or selling drugs after you submit your FAFSA, you must 

notify the College of Law’s Office of Financial Aid immediately. You will lose your eligibility 

and be required to repay all aid you received after your conviction. 

Please remember that this notification is in addition to your independent continuing disclosure 

obligations under the College of Law’s Amendment to Admissions Application policy. In 

addition, College of Law and bar admission disclosure requirements are broader than what is 

asked on the FAFSA.

How can I get more information?

If you still have questions about the law, call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-

800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243). Your personal information is confidential, and you will 

remain anonymous. 

If you have questions about your disclosure obligations under the College of Law Amendment to 

Admissions Application policy, contact the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. 

Prepared August 4, 2009; revised July 29, 2011.