For many parents and students, financial aid is the key to maintaining a healthy budget while their child is in school. As such, you should understand what it takes to protect this monetary help. For example, if your child is facing drug charges, you may worry about your eligibility. Luckily, with the help of a qualified attorney, you can combat these charges and protect your financial health. To learn more about how this legal matter affects supplemental aid, consult the guide below. 

How Do Drug Charges Impact Financial Aid?

When a student is receiving financial aid from a federal body, they are prohibited from using drugs. If they are successfully convicted of a drug charge, their supplements will be suspended. The length of the suspension will depend on the charge itself, as well as the number of previous offenses the student has. 

For example, if a student is charged with possession, they may receive a one-year financial aid suspension upon their first offense. Upon their second offense, it can become two years. After that, if they are successfully convicted, their financial aid will be suspended indefinitely. 

Selling drugs, on the other hand, has much harsher penalties. With their first offense, students face two years of suspension. After the second offense, their financial aid may be suspended indefinitely. Work with an attorney to find the best course of action should this situation arise. 

How Can You Handle Drug-Related Charges to Protect Your Child’s Financial Aid? 

First, contact an attorney for representation. Depending on the case and the evidence leveraged against your child, they may be able to negotiate for a lesser sentence. Once you know the final status of your child’s drug charges, there are certain steps you can take. Your first option to reinstate the financial aid is to have them complete a drug rehabilitation course. Upon completion, most federal agencies will reinstate aid early. Your child can also agree to submit to two random and unannounced drug tests. If they pass them consecutively, their aid should be restored. 

If you need an attorney to help your child fight drug charges, turn to The Law Office of Gregory G. St. John, LLC in Waterbury, CT. With over 40 years of experience handling criminal defense cases, he has the knowledge and expertise needed to help you secure the most favorable outcome possible. Visit his website to learn more about his services, and call (203) 759-0240 to schedule a consultation today.