Once you’re released from confinement, the eligibility limitations related to your incarceration will be removed. And, it is highly recommended that you apply for financial aid before you are released so your aid is processed in time for you to start school when you are released. Even knowing you will be starting classes will give your probation officer a positive outlook for obtaining employment upon receiving your educational training and will contribute to your half way house length of stay.
Also, drug convictions no longer affect federal student aid eligibility. Previously, a federal or state drug conviction could result in the loss of eligibility for federal student aid (Title IV funds, including grants, loans, and work-study), especially if the offense occurred while the student was enrolled in school and receiving aid however this was changed in July of 2023:
Key points regarding the change:
Eligibility is restored: Your eligibility for federal student aid will not be suspended due to prior drug convictions.
No FAFSA question: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2023-24 cycle and later no longer asks students about drug convictions.
The FAFSA application process is FREE (thus the acronym stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid), so if you are incarcerated and have the time now to file, do it! Once released, you can decide if you want to work or go back to school or both. But at least you will have more options.
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