The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (HEOA) and amendments will require a school that participates in federal student aid to provide to every student upon enrollment a separate, clear and conspicuous written note with information on the penalties associated with drug-related offenses. Students who have a conviction of any offense under any Federal or State law involving the possession or sale of illegal drugs shall not be eligible to receive federal student aid during the period beginning on the date of conviction and ending after the “specified” interval.
Jackson State Community College (JSCC) is a participant in the Federal Pell Grant Program, Federal Supplemental Grant Program, Federal Perkins Loan Program and Federal Work-Study Program. Therefore, JSCC administrators are required to provide a timely notice to each student who loses financial aid eligibility due to the possession or sale of illegal drugs.
A student will be required to answer a question listed on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to address the possession or sale of illegal drugs for an offense that occurred while the student was receiving federal student aid (grants, loans, work-study). A student aid eligibility worksheet may be completed to further establish eligibility. The FAFSA is located at: http://www.fafsa.gov.
If convicted of an offense involving the possession of an illegal drug, the ineligibility period is:
- First Offense - 1 year
- Second Offense - 2 years
- Third Offense - Indefinite
If convicted of an offense involving the sale of an illegal drug, the ineligibility period is:
- First Offense - 2 years
- Second Offense - Indefinite
A student may regain eligibility before the end of the ineligibility period listed above if:
- The student completed a drug rehabilitation program that -
- complies with criteria the U.S. Secretary of Education prescribed in its regulations; and
- includes two unannounced drug tests; OR
- The conviction is reversed, set aside, or otherwise rendered nugatory.