The Red and Black

Students who sell or use drugs will have one more reason to be wary if House Republicans have their way.

A bill that will take away federal financial aid to students convicted of drug possession or trafficking may be voted on as early as Tuesday.

Students convicted of drug possession will face a one-year suspension of their financial aid, and those convicted of distribution face a two-year suspension of their financial aid if the bill passes.

Second offenses would result in longer suspensions.

Since January, five University students have been arrested by University Police for drug possession, and one student has been arrested for drug distribution, according to reports by University Police.

The bill, written by Reps. Mark Souder of Indiana and Gerald Solomon of New York, is an amendment to the Higher Education Act of 1965.

The bill is intended to provide an incentive to keep students off drugs, said Angela Flood, press secretary for Souder.

"The main focus is that you can't learn, your opportunities are going to be limited if you continue to use drugs," Flood said in a telephone interview.

Bert Guy, a junior and president of the Georgia Association of College Republicans, said the bill was a good idea.

"Student loans should be reserved for individuals who are prepared for the responsibility of college," he said.

Although an existing law requires anyone convicted of a federal drug offense to be ineligible for federal aid, the new bill "seems more comprehensive than the current law," said Susan Little, associate director for student financial aid.

When students apply for federal aid each year, she said, there is a routine check to see if the student has been convicted on federal drug charges.

"I've been here eight years," Little said. "We've never seen a student denied aid because of (a drug conviction)."

Students who lose federal aid because of drug offenses may have it reinstated before the suspension is up if they complete a rehabilitation program.

Souder also proposed an addition to the bill requiring offenders to pass two drug tests before aid is reinstated.

That provision passed a House vote on Wednesday.

Ray Tripp, director of student financial aid, said it is difficult to monitor who should lose aid due to drug offenses or have it reinstated.

"I think it would be a delayed notification and it would hurt students who have regained eligibility," Tripp said.

Also proposed in the bill is an increase in the maximum Pell Grant award from $3,000 to $4,500 and more intensive requirements for reporting student crime statistics to the federal education secretary.

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