Can students with a felony still receive financial aid?

I have a friend who has a felony on their record, and they're worried about how it will affect their ability to get financial aid for college. Does anyone know if it's still possible to receive financial aid with a felony? Thanks in advance!

It's great that you're looking out for your friend and their educational future. While having a felony on one's record can make the process of obtaining financial aid more challenging, it's not necessarily a deal-breaker. Eligibility for federal financial aid can be affected by the type of felony conviction your friend has, as well as the timing of the conviction.

For example, if your friend's conviction is related to drug offenses, they may face limitations on their eligibility for federal aid. However, they can regain eligibility by completing an approved drug rehabilitation program or by passing two unannounced drug tests administered by an approved drug rehabilitation program. Other types of felony convictions generally do not automatically disqualify a student from receiving federal financial aid.

It's also important to note that there are other sources of financial aid, such as state, institutional, and private scholarships or grants, which may have different eligibility criteria even if your friend is ineligible for federal aid. It's essential for your friend to research and apply for as many of these opportunities as possible. Best of luck to your friend!