Diversion Letter

September 8, 2005

Part of my program includes reporting on two aspects of the law
I am to answer two questions. How can a drug conviction effect my
eligibilty for financial aid in college and will that effect my family, and
secondly, how can a drug conviction effect my driver's license.

In 1998, a federal law suspends financial aid for students with any drug
convictions. The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
asks question #31 Have you ever been convicted of selling or possessing
drugs?" If the answer is left blank or answered yes, the applicants mayor
may not financial aid. One drug offense will make the student ineligible for
one year, a second conviction for two years and the only way to regain
eligibility would be to complete a drug rehab program.

A congressionally-appointed committee called for the removal of that
question. According to my information, the rule was first founded on the
idea of keeping students away from drugs, and asking the questions would
help the colleges to find students that need this help. Since FAFSA added
the question, 157,000 students have been affected. More than 100 student
governments have called for the policies to be revoked, because all students
are not punished equally. The kids most needing financial aid are hurt the
most, while those who need no or little help are not bothered at the college
level with the conviction.

My family will depend on financial aid if and when I get to college and I
would not want to hurt my chances of getting aid.

As the second question, can my drivers' license be affected by a drug
conviction, I will quote Motor Vehicle Section 263:56-b

"Any person who is 15 years of age or older and not yet 18 years of age on
the date of the incident, and who is convicted, found to be deliquent under
RSA 169-b shall be subject to revocation or denial of a drivers license for
a mandatory period of at least one year and ...up to 5 years.

The law is simply stated and I really can't add much to it. If a young person
is convicted of possession, we can lose our licenses. This includes alcohol
and controlled drugs.

Submited by Keene High School Jr.

 

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