Possible Sanctions for Legal Convictions Regarding Drugs

A federal or state drug conviction can disqualify a student for Federal Student Financial Aid funds. The period of ineligibility may range from one year to an indefinite period of time based on whether the conviction was for sale or possession and whether the student had previous offenses.

Under Georgia criminal statutes, the penalties for drug offenses depend on the nature of the offense, the drug involved, whether the offense is a first or subsequent offense, and in some cases, the amount of the drug involved. Possible sanctions include: imprisonment; forfeiture of property used to facilitate illegal possession; forfeiture of vehicles and other conveyances used to transport or conceal controlled substances; civil fines, denial of Federal benefits including student loans, grants, and contracts; ineligibility to receive or purchase firearms; and denial or revocation of certain Federal licenses and benefits (e.g. pilot licenses, public housing, etc.).

Moreover, in accordance with Georgia law, any student convicted of a felony that involves the manufacture, distribution, sale, possession or use of a controlled substance or other illegal drug, or student organizations involved in these activities, will be subject to specific penalties required by state law, federal law, or both.

For more information, federal penalties can be found at: https://www.dea.gov/drug-information