Funding Dreams

          In 1998, what is now known as the Aid Elimination Policy was signed into law. The statute makes students ineligible for Federal Financial Aid if they are found guilty of a misdemeanor drug crime. With the average cost of a college degree at nearly $40,000, most students with a conviction are forced to drop out, never to complete school. Good paying jobs are hard to come by and nearly impossible to obtain without a college degree,  leading to a lifetime of living paycheck to paycheck. Since the implementation of the 1998 policy, nearly a quarter of a million students have been denied grants, student loans, and even access to work study programs. At Sons and Daughters United, we believe all people should have equal access to education, regardless of their criminal records, and we are proud to offer a scholarship for students who have fallen victim to the Aid Elimination Policy.

Higher Education Act of 1965

“to strengthen the educational resources of our colleges and universities and to provide financial assistance for students in post-secondary and higher education”.

The Higher Education Act of 1965 put in place a lot of great policies for helping students pursue an education. Although due to the Aid Elimination Provision Amendment of 1998, students with drug charges are ineligible from receiving federal aid for colleges and universities.

If convicted of an offense involving:

The possession of a controlled
substance:
Ineligibility period is:
First offense ................................... 1 year
Second offense ............................ 2 years
Third offense ........................... Indefinite

The sale of a controlled
substance:
Ineligibility period is:
First offense ................................... 2 years
Second offense ...................... Indefinite

In order to be considered for the Organization’s Scholarship Program, the applicant must meet the following criteria:

• Must be directly affected by the Aid Elimination Policy
• Must be able to demonstrate clear financial need

• Must be seeking a first Technical, first Associate, or first Bachelor’s degree
• Must plan to enroll in or be currently enrolled in a degree program at public, private, or state-funded university
• Must have achieved a minimum cumulative 2.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale
• Must demonstrate clear intentions to graduate in a specific field or toward a specific career pathway
  
  

Scholarship Selection Committee
Scholarship Selection Committee is a non-biased committee selected to  review, examine, and select scholarship recipients. In order to ensure fair and equal selection, members of the Committee may conduct information sessions, review applications, and interview candidates. Applicants are selected based on financial need, program eligibility, and available funds. Applicants must receive approval or denial in writing within 30 business days of receiving the applications.
Applications
Applications should be available online or by request and must be submitted at least five (5) weeks prior to the start of the semester in order to ensure ample time for registration. Applications may be submitted electronically or by mail as directed in the  Application Packet. In addition to the application itself, Applicants are required to disclose pay stubs, bank account statements, and any other financial documents to demonstrate financial need.

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APPLY

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