According to federal guidelines, if you were convicted of a drug-related charge while receiving federal student aid, you will not be eligible for government-sponsored funds, such as the Pell Grant. Interestingly, if you were convicted of a drug charge but not receiving federal student aid at the time, you are still considered eligible.
This means that many ex-offenders may apply for federal money using the FAFSA, just as any other student. Schools may base their funding on other criteria, such as demonstrated need, but they cannot withhold funding simply on the basis of your ex-offender status.
You may fill out your FAFSA online, or your school's financial aid office can guide you through the FAFSA process.
Reentry.gov gives direct contact information for your state department of education, as well as re-entrant resources extending beyond the scope of education thanks to the Second Chance Act. From Reentry.gov's homepage, the left-hand sidebar includes a link titled, "State Activities & Resources." Choose your state from the map or drop-down menu.
Contrary to popular belief, you are not barred from applying for this funding as an ex-offender. If you are eligible for the Pell Grant (which you will know after having completed the FAFSA), you will receive priority consideration for the FSEOG. These awards range from $100 to $4,000 a year. Your school will determine the size of your award. Unlike the Pell Grant, receiving other aid may reduce the amount of your FSEOG award.
Established in 1988, the Charles W. Colson Scholarship was developed in honor of Chuck Colson, who was a generous donor to the Institute for Prison Ministries. The scholarship can be applied for undergraduate and graduate study, and while it is based on need, the award can be matched with grant funding to defray the cost of tuition, room, board and medical insurance. As a source of private funding, the scholarship requires that applicants be Christian, American citizens with a G.E.D. or high school diploma, and applicants should have committed a serious offense, serving time for more than one year. Registering an account profile with FastWeb.com can yield additional scholarship opportunities for nontraditional students and students with unique situations.