OVER 150,000 STUDENTS LOSE AID DUE TO OBSCURE LAW

The Higher Education Act was passed into law over three decades ago by Lyndon Johnson and it authorized federal dollars to be spent on Pell grants, Perkins Loans and Work-Study Programs.  Every four years Congress is asked to review the Act and make adjustments as needed.  A recent amendment has many students, as well as professors and other academics, questioning the intentions of Congress and their attempts to look tough on drugs. 

Passed into law during a late night, closed-door session of the House Education & Work Force Committee, the 1998 Higher Education Act drug provision denies federal aid to any student that has been convicted of a drug-related offense. 

Drafted by Rep.  Mark Souder ( R-IN ), the provision has resulted in over 150,000 students losing or being denied their federal financial aid.  The controversial law was the catalyst for founding members of the growing student movement, Students for Sensible Drug Policy ( SSDP ). 

Members of The Ohio State chapter of SSDP criticize the discriminatory way in which drug laws are enforced as one of the major reasons the provision should be repealed.  Members of the group also point out that the law enacts additional punishment against individuals who have already been processed and punished by the criminal justice system.  The law affects those with low incomes the most, ironically, the very people the Higher Education Act was designed to assist. 

While the statistics show a large number of students have been affected by this law, very few victims have come forward to speak about their experience.  One man has come forward to share his story in this issue of the Hempfest Journal.