2008 Woodie Awards
Drug Arrests Can Stop Financial Aid
Emily Jarrett/Muleskinner
Issue date: 10/5/06 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
According to the FBI Uniform Crime Report released last week, more than 786,545 people were arrested for marijuana violations in the past year, amounting to one arrest every 40 seconds. The number of marijuana arrests in Warrensburg is significantly smaller- only 20 in the past year. So why the concern for UCM students?
According to the article, a drug conviction can directly affect a student's education by potentially taking away financial aid.
But this isn't necessarily so.
"If a student is convicted, financial aid is only taken away if it is federal aid," said Phil Shreves, director of financial assistance. "Since most students receive aid directly from Central, it's very rare and almost a non-issue here."
The rules have also changed regarding drug convictions and financial aid.
Shreves said in the past, students self-reported if they had been convicted of marijuana possession by answering questions on their admittance application.
"Obviously this wasn't effective at all," Shreves said. "Students could easily lie, and there was no database to check their records."
Also, if a student had been convicted, financial aid could be stopped at any time. Today, it depends on timing.
"If [the conviction] is before you start college, there's no problem with aid," Shreves said. "If it's after you start, even during the summer, it's a little more difficult and could affect your eligibility.
"But it still only affects federal aid. If a student is arrested for marijuana possession and is worried about their financial aid, they can make an appointment to see me, and I'll discuss the matter with them confidentially."
Students might assume since a conviction of marijuana possession most likely will not affect their financial aid, it is a less serious crime. However, if a student is convicted, it will be on their record permanently.
"An arrest record is public information," said Public Safety Officer Sgt. Matthew Vessar . "If you would like to go on to do something that requires a professional license, such as teaching, pharmacy or police work, your employers will have access to that record and at least know you were arrested."
Vessar said there are two different definitions of "possession." The first is actual possession, which is having marijuana in hand, on person or within reach. The second is constructive possession. A person can be charged with constructive possession if they are sitting in a car with someone who is in actual possession.
If a student is found in possession of less than 35 grams of marijuana, they will be charged with a class "A" misdemeanor and arrested. After being processed, including fingerprinting, a report will be written and a probable cause affidavit will be given to the district attorney, who will then decide if there is enough evidence to charge the person or not. If there is enough evidence, then a summons to appear in court will be mailed. If the person fails to appear in court, a warrant for their arrest will be issued.
According to the article, a drug conviction can directly affect a student's education by potentially taking away financial aid.
But this isn't necessarily so.
"If a student is convicted, financial aid is only taken away if it is federal aid," said Phil Shreves, director of financial assistance. "Since most students receive aid directly from Central, it's very rare and almost a non-issue here."
The rules have also changed regarding drug convictions and financial aid.
Shreves said in the past, students self-reported if they had been convicted of marijuana possession by answering questions on their admittance application.
"Obviously this wasn't effective at all," Shreves said. "Students could easily lie, and there was no database to check their records."
Also, if a student had been convicted, financial aid could be stopped at any time. Today, it depends on timing.
"If [the conviction] is before you start college, there's no problem with aid," Shreves said. "If it's after you start, even during the summer, it's a little more difficult and could affect your eligibility.
"But it still only affects federal aid. If a student is arrested for marijuana possession and is worried about their financial aid, they can make an appointment to see me, and I'll discuss the matter with them confidentially."
Students might assume since a conviction of marijuana possession most likely will not affect their financial aid, it is a less serious crime. However, if a student is convicted, it will be on their record permanently.
"An arrest record is public information," said Public Safety Officer Sgt. Matthew Vessar . "If you would like to go on to do something that requires a professional license, such as teaching, pharmacy or police work, your employers will have access to that record and at least know you were arrested."
Vessar said there are two different definitions of "possession." The first is actual possession, which is having marijuana in hand, on person or within reach. The second is constructive possession. A person can be charged with constructive possession if they are sitting in a car with someone who is in actual possession.
If a student is found in possession of less than 35 grams of marijuana, they will be charged with a class "A" misdemeanor and arrested. After being processed, including fingerprinting, a report will be written and a probable cause affidavit will be given to the district attorney, who will then decide if there is enough evidence to charge the person or not. If there is enough evidence, then a summons to appear in court will be mailed. If the person fails to appear in court, a warrant for their arrest will be issued.
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