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Saying "No" to Drugs

Closed School Corner

TG Mails Revised School Fact Sheets

New Regulations for Changes in School Ownership

Poverty Guidelines Update

MPN Reminder

Get Ready to "Innovate. Educate. Celebrate!"

Common Manual Updates

Consolidation Conundrums

Return of Title IV Funds

ED Implements New Special Allowance Codes

Shoptalk 103, March 2000

Saying "No" to Drugs

Not enough students are saying "No" to drugs, at least, not on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Department of Education (ED) recently announced that students left the drug conviction question (q28) blank on approximately 20 percent of the 2000-2001 FAFSAs received thus far. That equates to approximately 100,000 students. The blank q28 caused a "C" Flag on these FAFSAs, resulting in delays in awarding aid to the students. Furthermore, many schools expressed concern that ED would require the school to assume the role of inquisitor vis-à-vis q28.

In response to community concerns, on February 24, 2000, ED announced a plan of action "to alleviate...the unintended consequences of students leaving the Drug Conviction Eligibility question (FAFSA Question 28) blank."

ED's Guideline

Retroactively effective for the 2000-01 award year, ED stated that schools can disregard Student Aid Report (SAR) "C" Flags produced due to a blank q28. Beginning March 6, 2000, blank q28s will no longer receive a SAR "C" Flag.

Students who left q28 blank and do not have a drug conviction do not have to answer the question. Schools can award and deliver Title IV aid provided the student is otherwise eligible.

Students who left q28 blank and have a drug conviction must answer the question. These students can correct q28 by

Completing and returning Part 2 of the SAR to ED;
Calling the Student Aid Information Center (1-800-4FED-AID) starting March 10, 2000;
Logging onto Corrections on the Web (www.fafsa.ed.gov/q28) starting March 10, 2000; or
Working with a financial aid administrator to make changes via EDExpress.

Starting March 6, 2000, the SAR comment generated due to a blank q28 was revised to state that "You (the student) left Item 28 blank. IF YOU HAVE A DRUG CONVICTION, you MUST answer Item 28. Your failure to accurately answer this question could result in legal action against you by the U.S. Government." The comment continues by giving the student methods to correct the SAR.

ED also clarified in its announcement that it is the student's responsibility, not the school's, to respond correctly to q28.

Questions

For questions about q28, contact TG Customer Support at
(800) 252-9743, ext. 4444, or send an message to customer.services@tgslc.org.