According to Students for a Sensible Drug Policy, 87,000 students have lost college financial aid due to drug convictions.

According to their press release received today,

"According to new Department of Education data, over 30,000 college students have been denied federal loans and grants for the 2002-2003 school year due to the 1998 Higher Education Act drug provision."

"Since the HEA drug provision was first enforced in 2000, a total of 86,898 students have been denied aid. A drug conviction is the only crime that can result in the loss of federal financial aid."

“The latest Department of Education statistics confirm that the punitive HEA drug provision remains the number one obstacle for people seeking a higher education,” says Shawn Heller, National Director of Students for Sensible Drug Policy. "

“Since African Americans make up half of all people convicted of drug crimes, yet only represent 13% of all drug users, it’s evident that this regulation disproportionately punishes minorities. Tens of thousands more have likely not bothered to apply for college because they know they won’t receive loans or grants."

SSDP is working on 500 campuses to end this education disaster,” says Heller.

They need your help. Here is a sample letter you can write to ask your elected officials to support the Coalition for Higher Education Act Reform.

It also explains a lot more about the present law and its flaws.