If you are a college student and a police officer arrests you for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you are probably worried about how this mistake will impact your education.
Many student aid providers may limit eligibility for students who have criminal records. If you have received a DUI, here is what you need to about your student loans and other financial assistance.
How will a DUI affect my student financial aid?
For the federal student aid program, a first-time conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is unlikely to impact your current or future grants and loans unless you also had drugs in your possession. The federal financial aid application only asks about drug convictions that occurred while you were a student receiving assistance.
Other types of support, however, such as scholarships or private loans, may have different requirements regarding past convictions.
In what other ways can a DUI impact my education?
Though your financial aid is likely safe, you may face other consequences after a DUI arrest, even if you are not convicted. Your school may take disciplinary action, including suspending your privileges, removing you from sports teams, placing you on probation or even revoking your enrollment. You may find that your admission to graduate school is also in jeopardy.
A first-time DUI is rarely a life-ruining mistake, but it can still have significant consequences. You should take any DUI seriously to minimize the impact on your education and future professional life.