Repeal the Aid Elimination Penalty of the Higher Education Act

The Aid Elimination Penalty strips students who have been convicted of crimes related to possession or sale of drugs of any federal aid they are receiving. This unfairly penalizes students twice for the same crime and only effects those students who cannot afford to pay for their educations on their own. This provision of the Higher Education Act often means a student must drop out of school as a result. Education is the key to a good future, and this penalty means that thousands of students across the country may be stripped of a means of bettering themselves and becoming productive members of American society. The full repeal of the Aid Elimination Penalty would allow students to remain in school, providing structure and opportunity to succeed.