If you have a son or daughter who is about to start college, you probably know how expensive higher education can be. In fact, the average yearly in-state tuition for a public school is roughly $25,000 per year. If your child wants to attend a private university, you may have to pay around $51,000 annually.
Some criminal matters, such as a drug-related conviction, may interfere with your child’s ability to procure federally backed student aid. Does a DUI conviction make it harder to pay for college, though?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid
Students who want Pell grants, government-backed loans and other federal educational funding must complete the FAFSA form. This free application outlines your student’s aid eligibility. Fortunately, the FAFSA only questions drug-related convictions. Therefore, if your son’s or daughter’s DUI offense involved alcohol, he or she is probably not ineligible for federal student aid.
Private scholarships
While an alcohol-related DUI does not usually interfere with federal student aid, it certainly may affect private scholarships. Many scholarship organizations consider an individual’s criminal history when deciding whether to award funds. If your son or daughter is already receiving a private scholarship, a DUI conviction may result in its revocation. On the other hand, if your child is applying for a private scholarship after his or her DUI conviction, you should check with the organization to see if he or she remains eligible.
College housing
If you do not live close to where your child intends to attend school, he or she likely wants to live in the university’s student housing. Like with private scholarship organizations, many colleges consider student backgrounds when granting permission to live on campus. If a DUI conviction excludes your son or daughter, you may have to pay more for off-campus housing.
Whether your child lives in the dorms or somewhere else, a DUI conviction may make paying for college more difficult. Therefore, if your son or daughter is facing DUI charges, mounting an aggressive defense may be essential in ensuring you have access to enough funds to cover tuition and other educational expenses.
