Federal Student Financial Aid Penalties for Drug Law Violations

Important Update: Effective with the 2023-2024 academic year, the U.S. Department of Education has rescinded the student eligibility requirement and a student no longer faces penalties or suspension of Title IV aid due to a drug conviction that occurred while the student was enrolled and receiving Title IV aid. All references to Drug Convictions were removed and no longer impact a student’s ability to receive Title IV aid.   

The Department of Justice may place a processing hold on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for some students who have been convicted of possession or sale of illegal drugs based on prior judgments.  To resolve the hold, a student must call the Department of Education at 202-377-3889 or email applicationprocessingdivision@ed.gov.  This information is also provided upon submission of the FAFSA if it is application to the student.