<p>My son, a senior in high school, has been arrested for possession with intent to distribute. I am devastated. As we are in the midst of applying for colleges, I want to know what this will do to his prospects for admission. He already has a less than stellar GPA, although he has AP and honors classes and a decent SAT score. He was looking at UMass, URI, CU Boulder, and UVM seriously. Do we even bother to submit applications if he is convicted? It is a first offense.</p>
<p>intent to distribute IS a biggie. I would talk with the lawyer - with your son present - and ask how to proceed. The fact that he was planning on enrolling in colleges will help his defense so your lawyer may tell you to proceed…quickly…before his court appearance. I can’t imagine a lawyer NOT wanting to stand up with a young person in court and say “this young person has applied and been accepted to yada yada college”…but DO talk to the lawyer about how best to proceed with the sequence of events. As far as admissions much will depend on the outcome of the court proceedings.</p>
<p>If found guilty, I believe your son may not be eligible for any federal loans. Be thinking of how you will pay for schooling if you were counting on federal financial aid. Sorry…</p>
<p>^^yes, that is another variable that should be tucked away in the OPs mind. You have a decent lawyer…right? It will be money well spent over the long haul. Think about it this way, it might be $2000 or so depending on where you live now - or your kiddo may be forfeiting the ability to secure almost $30,000 in student loans if convicted. Hugs to you, I have never gone through a drug possession charge but can only imagine what you are thinking…</p>
<p>Yeah, get a GOOD lawyer and get those charges reduced to possession.</p>
<p>OP I’m sure you know this but you want to talk to the lawyer and understand the difference between charges, etc., and what would impact the federal aid. Each state has different laws regarding pot (presuming it is pot). Even possession, in some states, can impact eligibility for aid…so make sure you understand YOUR state and the ins and outs of your son’s potential charges, pleas, etc.</p>
<p>I’d be more worried about prison then college. A step family member was arrested on similar charges in CA and he is facing 5+ years in prison. He was a freshman in college at the time.</p>
<p>Drug related offenses that occur BEFORE a student has ever received federal aid or even attended college have NO effect on their future eligibility for receiving aid.</p>
<p>Question 23 on FAFSA [Have</a> you been convicted for the possession or sale of illegal drugs for an offense that occurred while you were receiving federal student aid (grants, loans, and / or work-study)?](<a href=“http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/fotw1213/help/fotw12b.htm]Have”>http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/fotw1213/help/fotw12b.htm)</p>
<p><a href=“http://ifap.ed.gov/eannouncements/attachments/011112StudentAidEligibilityDrugWkshten1213.pdf[/url]”>http://ifap.ed.gov/eannouncements/attachments/011112StudentAidEligibilityDrugWkshten1213.pdf</a></p>