The rising cost of postsecondary education is a barrier many students face, and it may be felt even more acutely by individuals impacted by the justice system. While the FAFSA Simplification Act restored federal Pell Grant eligibility for students with drug convictions and those in carceral settings, Pell Grants often do not cover the full cost of attendance. State financial aid programs might help fill the gap but are sometimes unavailable to students impacted by the justice system.
Education Commission of the States researched state financial aid student eligibility policies for 98 state financial aid programs, representing the largest programs in each state, to identify disqualifying factors that affect justice system-impacted students. While the disqualifying factors in state policy vary in their specificity, they generally fall into one of two categories: incarceration and criminal convictions. Use the link below to learn more about these programs.
Key Takeaways
- 65 state financial aid programs do not contain restrictions in state policy that limit access for justice-impacted individuals.
- State policy makes 19 state financial aid programs unavailable to students who are incarcerated.
- While the FAFSA Simplification Act removed drug conviction as a disqualifying factor for Pell Grant eligibility, the restriction exists in state policy for eight state aid programs.
50-State Comparisons – All data points
Additional Resources
- State Policies to Support Learners Impacted by the Justice System
- Expanding Education Access for Justice-Impacted Students
- Partnering for Success: Expanding Education Access for Justice-Impacted Individuals webinar
