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Will a drug charge affect my child’s financial aid?

On Behalf of | Jan 3, 2020 | College Student Criminal Defense

Your child may have worked hard to get into University of West Georgia, but he had a rough first semester. If part of that first semester included getting charged for drug possession, your child will be facing more consequences than you think. In fact, his financial aid package may be threatened.

Suspending financial aid

College students who are convicted of a drug charge while they are receiving financial aid will have their aid suspended. The length of the suspension will depend on the severity of their drug charge and if they have prior drug convictions.

If students’ drug offenses occurred before they enrolled or received financial aid, their aid will not be affected. Also, if your child’s drug charges are dropped, his financial aid will not be affected.

Reinstating financial aid

Students with a drug conviction may reinstate their financial aid if they complete a qualified drug rehabilitation program or if they pass two unannounced drug tests.

Consulting an attorney

Once your college-age child is charged with a drug offense, you should contact an experienced criminal defense attorney. An attorney can advise you and your child about how drug charges can be reduced or dismissed. Or at least how to minimize a conviction’s effect on your child’s financial aid and future employment opportunities.

Drug convictions become part of a permanent criminal record. Having an attorney involved in your college student’s case can make the road ahead smoother and reduce the impact of the charges on your child’s life.

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