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Will a DWI affect my financial aid for college?

On Behalf of | Dec 18, 2020 | Criminal Law, DUI/DWI |

If arrested by law enforcement under suspicion of driving while intoxicated (DWI), your concerns may quickly turn to the potential criminal penalties. As a college student, however, you could face additional consequences that may affect your ongoing education.

Due to the potential effects on your ability to pay for your education, make sure you having an understanding of how a DWI conviction may affect your college loans.

Alcohol-related convictions

Having a DWI conviction on your record may not directly affect your application for student loan benefits; however, serving a jail sentence for such an offense can. According to the Federal Student Aid website, while incarcerated for a DWI or other criminal offense, you may have limited eligibility for receiving federal education assistance.

Although you may still qualify for some aid, obtaining such benefits over other students and in light of difficulties in performing the necessary requirements due to your incarceration may present challenges.

Drug-related offenses

Certain drug-related convictions may affect your ability to receive federal financial assistance for college education. The federal student aid program may suspend your eligibility for financial support if you were receiving aid prior to your conviction.

Should you lose your eligibility to receive federal student aid due to a drug conviction, you may have options for regaining your ability to obtain federal assistance. You may be able to reinstate your eligibility by passing two drug tests conducted through an approved rehabilitation program. The program will not give advance notice of the tests. You may also see your ability to receive federal college assistance restored by successively completing a drug rehabilitation program approved by the state.