Student Loan Reform Begins; More Change Needed
by TChris
Society can shuttle people between prison and criminal lifestyles, or it can help offenders break that cycle. A rational approach to drug crime (putting aside for the moment decriminalization of marijuana offenses) emphasizes help and support, including drug and alcohol counseling. Equally important to many who are ready to break the cycle is an education that will allow them to compete for meaningful jobs. That's why the congressional decision to make drug offenders ineligible for government-assisted student loans was appalling.
Fortunately, Congress is slowly moving the law toward rationality.
Students convicted while receiving federal aid will still lose their eligibility - for one year for a first possession offense, two years for a second and indefinitely for a third, with harsher penalties for selling. But under the new rules, which President Bush is expected to sign into law, offenders who weren't enrolled in school and getting taxpayer support at the time when they were convicted can apply for aid. The change is expected to benefit mostly older students ... who had finished school before they were convicted and now wish to go back.
An about-face would be an even better course correction.
"I think some nontraditional students will benefit from the partial reform, but unfortunately tens of thousands of students will be left behind without the ability to pay for school," said Tom Angell, campaigns director for the group Students for Sensible Drug Policy.
Rep Mark Souder claims the law has a deterrent impact because students will be less likely to abuse drugs if a conviction will lead to a loss of financial aid. Yet "SSDP says at least 175,000 people have been denied federal financial aid because of their drug records since the government began asking for the information on its financial aid forms in 2000." If the law failed to deter 175,000 students, there's reason to question whether the law is an effective deterrent.
While it's uncertain that the law deters drug crimes, it's certain that the law prevents some from completing the kind of education that could turn them into responsible, productive, tax-paying individuals. That's a bad trade, and it's a policy decision that Congress needs to revisit.
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