Publication Date: December 2000

DCL ID: GEN-00-23

Summary: The final drug worksheet titled "Worksheet for Question 35" is now available

December 2000

GEN-00-23

The final drug worksheet titled "Worksheet for Question 35" is now available on Information for Financial Aid Professionals (IFAP) on the Bookshelf.

This year the worksheet has a new two-page format. This new format is easier to read and addresses convictions for the possession and sale of illegal drugs. Previously, students who were convicted for both the possession and sale of illegal drugs were instructed to call the Federal Student Aid Information Center to determine eligibility.

The worksheet explains the three codes that a student may use to answer question 35. A code of "1" means that the student is eligible (in regard to drug convictions) for federal student aid for the award year from July 1, 2001 to June 30, 2002. A code of "2" means the student's period of ineligibility will end during the award year, and a code of "3" means the student is ineligible for all of 2001-2002. Students who have completed an acceptable drug rehabilitation program since their last conviction are informed that their eligibility is not affected by question 35. The worksheet also defines an acceptable drug rehabilitation program.

For help in answering question 35, students who have been convicted for possession and/or sale of illegal drugs should go to www.fafsa.ed.gov or should call 1-800-4FED-AID (1-800-433-3243). Students who complete FAFSA on the Web will be able to use an embedded interactive questionnaire that determines the FAFSA answer for them. For paper filers, both the 800 number and the website at www.fafsa.ed.gov will also offer interactive formats, which are easy for students to use and which can calculate an eligibility date for a student who may become eligible at a later time.

If a student calls the 800 number, he or she can choose either to use an interactive voice response unit (IVRU) that leads the student through the questions, or can speak with a live operator who will help determine the FAFSA answer based on the student's information. Both the IVRU and the operator will calculate an eligibility date for the student.

A student who visits the worksheet website can use a stand-alone interactive questionnaire that uses information entered by the student to determine the proper code to write on the FAFSA and calculate an eligibility date for students who have one. As a further option on the website, we will post a PDF file of the final paper drug worksheet.

Students who answer question 35 "yes" or leave it blank will receive a "Worksheet for Question 35" with their Student Aid Report (SAR).

We hope this information will help you in assisting your students during the upcoming award year.

Sincerely,


Jennifer Douglas
Acting General Manager for Students

Attachments/Enclosures:

Worksheet for Question 35 in PDF file format