Coalition for Higher Education Act Reform
1623 Connecticut Avenue, NW 3rd Floor Washington, DC20009
Voice: (202) 293-8340 Fax: (202) 293-8344
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Brian Dolber
April 15, 2005 (202) 293-8340
Senator Smith Supports Students in Need
WASHINGTON, DC –Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR) says he would like to introduce legislation to repealadiscriminatory federal policythat denies federal financial aid to students desiring a higher education.
The Drug Provision of the Higher Education Act (HEA) denies federal financial aid to students with prior drug convictions, no matter how minor. This law took effect in 2000, and has kept over 160,500 students from receiving federal financial aid, punishing them not only through the criminal justice system, but also the education system. These students all come from low- to middle-income families since those who come from wealthier backgrounds do not rely on financial aid to go to school. A disproportionate number of these affected students are minorities.
“The Drug Provision denies a college education to those who need it most,” said Chris Mulligan, campaign director of the Coalition for Higher Education Act Reform. “Rather than helping people recover from their past mistakes, this law creates another roadblock.”
Students who are forced to drop out of school are more likely to commit crimes and suffer further from drug related problems. The Correctional Education Association has reported that ex-offenders who have received at least two years of higher education have a 10 percent re-arrest rate, compared with a national re-arrest rate of 60 percent. Advocates say that education is a key component of rehabilitation and that it is ineffective for the federal government to deny these potential students a chance at an education.
More than 200 organizations, including the Oregon Student Association and the Oregon Students of Color Coalition, have called on Congress to repeal this law, and Congressman Peter DeFazio(D-OR) has co-sponsored H.R. 1184, a House bill in favor of its repeal. This House bill, the Removing Impediments to Students' Education (RISE) Act, has gained the support of 64 members of Congress thus far.
The Coalition for Higher Education Act Reform (CHEAR) is a coalition of criminal justice, education, religious, civil rights, student and rehabilitation organizations urging Congress to repeal the Drug Provision of the Higher Education Act. More than 115 student governments, representing over 2.1 million students, have adopted resolutions calling for the full repeal of the HEA Drug Provision, including Lewis and ClarkCollege, LinfieldCollege, PortlandCommunity College at Cascade, PortlandCommunity College at Rock Creek, and PortlandStateUniversity.
Interviews are available. For further information, contact Brian Dolber at (202) 293-8340 or , or visit .
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