cannabisnews.com: Students' Federal Aid Gets Boost 





Students' Federal Aid Gets Boost 
Posted by CN Staff on January 14, 2007 at 14:24:31 PT
By Kathleen Pender
Source: San Francisco Chronicle
Washington, DC -- Students who will be attending college in 2007-08 should start filling out the federal government's financial aid form -- even if they filled it out last year and were denied assistance. Congress made several changes in the federal financial aid formula that could make some families eligible for more, especially those who own a small business or saved money in their student's name. The new formula also goes easier on drug offenders.
As always, filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) makes the student eligible for an unsubsidized Stafford loan, regardless of income or need. The application is used to determine eligibility for federal financial aid including Pell grants; government-guaranteed Stafford, Plus and Perkins loans; and work-study jobs. Many states including California use it to decide who will get state aid. Many colleges also use it to dole out aid from their own coffers. The form asks for detailed information on family income and assets, household size, and number of students in college. Some private schools ask students to fill out extra forms, such as the CSS/Financial Aid Profile. This additional information goes into their aid determination. The changes I'm writing about apply only to the federal aid application and schools that rely on it exclusively. In general, the federal financial aid formula assesses a certain percentage of the student's income and assets and a smaller percentage of parental income and assets to determine how much a family theoretically can pay for college. Excerpt: The drug question. In the past, the application asked if students had ever been convicted of possessing or selling illegal drugs. If they answered yes, they could be denied aid. The new form simply asks if the student has been convicted of a drug offense while receiving federal student aid. A yes answer can still result in no financial aid.  Snipped:Complete Article: http://tinyurl.com/sv9hvSource: San Francisco Chronicle (CA)Author: Kathleen PenderPublished: Sunday, January 14, 2007 Copyright: 2007 Hearst Communications Inc.Contact: letters sfchronicle.comWebsite: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/CannabisNews Justice Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/justice.shtml
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Comment #26 posted by Hope on January 19, 2007 at 23:19:05 PT
Reykr
Great letter Reykr. I hope it gets ink. 
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Comment #25 posted by Hope on January 19, 2007 at 23:07:57 PT
An article on another site
linked to the Vietnamese newspaper and I noticed the article in other stories at the newspaper. It's very strange. Companies that bring in foreign labor? Five thousand dollars a year as wages? Special effort to keep people from "escaping" who join the work force? Fifteen thousand dollar deposits made to insure that people wouldn't "escape"...or they'd lose the fifteen thousand dollars? It's so strange. Something very fishy there.It's way off topic but I sure found it worrisome and wanted to share it with you guys to see what you thought of it.Things get stranger every day. 
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Comment #24 posted by FoM on January 19, 2007 at 21:20:30 PT
Hope
I have no idea what that is about. We have plenty of workers don't we?
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Comment #23 posted by FoM on January 19, 2007 at 21:19:22 PT
reykr
Thank you for sharing your writing. 
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Comment #22 posted by Hope on January 19, 2007 at 21:00:07 PT
Way off topic...but very curious...
What's this about? Anyone?http://english.vietnamnet.vn/social/2007/01/652213/It seems wrong all the way around. It sounds like some sort of slavery option or something.
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Comment #21 posted by Hope on January 19, 2007 at 20:58:33 PT
Hello, Reykr!
Good to see you.
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Comment #20 posted by reykr on January 19, 2007 at 20:45:13 PT:
Something that may interest you.
Some of you might be interested in reading my blog.My blog's address: http://reykr.livejournal.com I live in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and some comments of mine have been published here, in the past.
Curiosity and Serendipity
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Comment #19 posted by FoM on January 18, 2007 at 15:21:20 PT
rchandar 
I think if we have a history to record this administration will go down as the worst ever. I watched the 60 Minutes interview hoping that he would seem human to me but he reconfirmed he cares for no one but winning a war that is unwinnable. A war that he wanted and we didn't. He said in essence if we don't like him he doesn't care. That hurts me but I already knew that but for those who have supported Bush that might be really hard.
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Comment #18 posted by rchandar on January 18, 2007 at 14:53:16 PT:
FoM
One year and eleven months. And I cannot imagine a President who could do worse.
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Comment #17 posted by FoM on January 16, 2007 at 09:04:39 PT
Toker00
It really opened my eyes too. I am becoming a avid reader of the Daily Kos. They are really on fire for change. As difficult as these times are I am getting hopeful. http://www.dailykos.com/
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Comment #16 posted by Toker00 on January 16, 2007 at 08:59:46 PT
FoM, article
That's pretty much proof positive that the people in this country don't mean a damn thing to the government (Corporate).Toke.
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Comment #15 posted by FoM on January 15, 2007 at 13:52:51 PT
Toker00
I found this article interesting.http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_ismael_h_070115_why_the_us_is_not_le.htm
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Comment #14 posted by FoM on January 15, 2007 at 12:56:11 PT
Toker00
I watched Bush's interview on 60 Minutes last night and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt now that his agenda is for control in the oil countries. We are a democracy and he said he didn't really care if we don't want the war to keep going. As people start to realize that this could turn into a global war starting in the Middle East they might realize it's time to get involved. I hope people wake up.
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Comment #13 posted by Toker00 on January 15, 2007 at 12:45:02 PT
FoM
Oh, I have a sneaking feeling there WILL be many more marches on DC. : ) And I completely understand your position. I'm going to check into it just to get the details. I couldn't afford to feed my "horses" there and back. My truck is truly a luxury, and long trips have become almost unaffordable since gas has gone up. There ARE buses and groups who charter them. Hmmm...Toke.
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Comment #12 posted by FoM on January 15, 2007 at 12:24:09 PT
Toker00
I wish I could go but this isn't a good time of year to be driving over the mountains to get there. We are only having rain and it's 51 right now but that can change fast. It would be great if a big march could happen around Memorial Day in DC. 
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Comment #11 posted by Toker00 on January 15, 2007 at 12:06:38 PT
I hear ya, FoM.
Values. That is what it's all about. But Human values, not Corporate values. A corporation doesn't bleed, suffer pain and die. A Human does. To me, a corporation has no values. Only Natural Creation has values. The ones we were suppose to protect, abide by and pass on whole to our children. We have failed. Now we are stuck with corporate values. I am glad to hear more people are talking, though. That gives me much hope.Here is a march in Washington, if you can make it. I remember you saying you might. :Dear MoveOn member,If you are like me, you watched with outrage last week as Bush announced his plan to send 21,000 more US troops to Iraq.Today, as we honor Martin Luther King Jr., I have been thinking about his words:"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."On January 27th, United for Peace and Justice are planning a March on Washington to end the war.I'll be in Washington with thousands of other MoveOn members. Can you join me? Click here for more information:http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php? id= 3468As Americans, we stand at a crossroads: we can allow this unaccountable administration to continue down a deadly path or we can redouble our efforts to change the direction of this tragic war.Many of you have already raised your voices against "escalation." Last week, MoveOn members and allies around the country staged more than 1000 Emergency Rallies to Stop Escalation in Iraq to show public opposition to Bush's plan. Now, tens of thousands of folks are taking the message directly to Washington.To make it plain that most Americans are united in our opposition to more war, we want to have people from all 50 states and every congressional district marching. So, if you yourself can't make it, can you donate $25 to help pay travel expenses for a MoveOn member who otherwise would not be able to make it? (See below for info on applying for travel funds yourself).Click here to help:https://pol.moveon.org/donate/marchondc.html? id= 9714-6910519-pHDj2A.IHn3hAlpVsAzr1Q&t= 2A MoveOn member whose son is a soldier preparing to go to Iraq explained the Bush plan this way:" 'Escalation' is just a word for more people dying. They're going to be more American people, and they're going to be more Iraqi people, and they're all going to be innocent people."1Imagine people from every state together in D.C. calling for a sane end to this war. With your help, we can make this happen.Big marches and rallies in Washington DC have helped to secure many of our country's most important gains. Martin Luther King Jr.'s March on Washington in 1963 was a turning point in the fight for equality and civil rights. The power of Americans standing together for justice cannot be underestimated. This march on Washington can be a similar turning point for the war.Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and thanks for all you do.
–Eli Pariser, Executive Director
 Monday, January 15th, 2007P.S. We need marchers from every state. If you would like to apply for a travel scholarship to make it to DC, click here.http://pol.moveon.org/ufpj07/index.html? id= 9714-6910519-pHDj2A.IHn3hAlpVsAzr1Q&t= 3Source:1. "Antiwar demonstrators protest call for troop 'surge'," Boston Globe. Jan. 12, 2007. http://www.moveon.org/r? r= 2315&id= 9714-6910519-pHDj2A.IHn3hAlpVsAzr1Q&t= 4Support our member-driven organization: MoveOn.org Political Action is entirely funded by our 3.2 million members. We have no corporate contributors, no foundation grants, no money from unions. Our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. If you'd like to support our work, you can give now at:http://political.moveon.org/donate/email.html? id= 9714-6910519-pHDj2A.IHn3hAlpVsAzr1Q&t= 5PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. 
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Comment #10 posted by FoM on January 15, 2007 at 11:54:55 PT
Toker00
Ever since I got on the Internet I have read a lot and looked for some form of values discussion on different forums. I have heard the expression I have rights more then enough but not good deep value discussions. Money won't solve our problem. We are a country that has serious problems. We need to help solve those problems and finally now I see more talking about values. 
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Comment #9 posted by Toker00 on January 15, 2007 at 07:05:28 PT
I'm just lonesome.
A Dr. King documentary is on the History Channel. You see the chances people took to gain civil rights back then? It wasn't just Black people who took those chances, either! That's what it's gonna take to re-gain our Constitutional rights. They have restricted our gatherings, they have restricted our free speech. Nothing else is as powerful. NOTHING. It's as if our entire citizenry is black, and our Government simply a Businessman's Plantation. It's like it's time for the civil rights movement for our entire World. If you keep your ass at home and convict and condemn these people to hell, they don't care. But gather somewhere and put it to a bull horn. Then they get SCARED. Why? Because of the Bravery that they know it takes to ACT. Because once that act is undertaken by enough people, they know they CAN'T STOP IT. The only alternative action that they have left us with is an illegal one that I have only seen Black people have enough courage to enact. Riots. Tyranny has always produced riots. Riots force the government and fellow citizens to pay attention. What ARE the problems that would make groups of oppressed people's rebel? Ok, what are we not seeing here? It makes everyone THINK. The oppression of American citizens is growing everyday. Travel hassles. Elections stolen. God given rights not afforded by a constitution, but taken away by unconstitutional Acts. Jobs lost to whistle-blowing and non-conformism. Jobs sold to foreign nations leaving a huge gap where the middle class USED to be. Masters, slaves. Middle class used to mean accessories and high dollar toys. Now it means meeting the basic human comfort needs, and nothing left over. The poor forced to fight wars so Elite Empire can reign Supreme. A New World Order that will at best be Chaotic Human Control. Bush and Cheney Torturing for Corporate Rule. The gloves have been off for a while folks. We are still sitting in our corner, halfway through the final round, our knees shaking. Where are the Leaders who will prod us to take back what is not even touchable by a man's law? That which was rightfully ours from the day of our birth. Free-Will. The right to Flee from restriction, oppression, and tyranny! Or to Fight it. Bush has passed laws with signing statements that cut us off at every path. If this is New World Order, then they can kiss my Constitutional Democratic Republic American Butt! Or, my Human Butt, for short! We have allowed business to replace government. We need leaders, not CEO's. We see what has happened, and were thoroughly well warned that it would. Terrorists are not OUR enemy. They are the enemy of the Corporations that now rule us. WE are the enemy of the Corporations as well, if we start thinking about replacing our Business with Government, our Corporation with Nation.Peace and Happy Day. : )Toke.     
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Comment #8 posted by Toker00 on January 15, 2007 at 05:58:24 PT
Hi, Matt
I'm not sure I understand EXACTLY what you are saying, but from the gist of it, that sucks. Sorry. Thanks for sharing with us that abuse knows no socio-economic bounds.Toke.
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Comment #7 posted by Matt Stover on January 14, 2007 at 22:27:25 PT
Parent's FAFSA Asset-Ommision Cripples America
I, like many of America's best high school graduates, was relegated to 'waiting until turning 24, then filing independent tax returns - before ever applying for college money' - because my mother, a Phd in Education, is a jealous and diabolical, abusive parent.All education lawyers and college financial aid experts agree, both, that this FAFSA law must be changed, through Congress - and that this phenomenon of abuse, from spiteful parents, is one of the foremost contributing factors to American Poverty.However, no entity of any sort has ever either accounted for, nor addressed, this issue.Even the former Financial Director for Penna. Institute of Technology, Sandy Schaeffer, told me, at a college fair in 1994, that she was doing this to her 'firstborn son, only'; that I, "...like he, will have to wait until you turn 24... then see what you get". She was elated to hear that my Doctor of Education mother was also as evil and diabolical as to abuse the FAFSA, and selectively prevent a child from going to college.I call on Congress to change this FAFSA law, and, institute Capitol Punishment, in the U.S. Criminal Code, for parents who have ever so abused this law, since it was enacted. Categorically, such parents are often in the field of Education - which is an catastrophic abomination, in itself.I call on America, to establish an organization to assess and address this issue; surely, it has crippled thousands of brilliant, college-worthy students, from ever attending college or being able to avoid abject homelessness and poverty.{Though I won awards for my Alma Mater high school, my 9th grade drop out sister just came home from France, with a BA - after receiving $100,000 student loans, through Mother's FAFSA asset-disclosure/cooperation; this goes to show you what a difference that damned little clause in the FAFSA makes!}
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on January 14, 2007 at 18:33:03 PT
Toker00
I am spending some of my extra time reading and learning and thinking about many things that are happening currently. The news looks grim. I believe that we will move forward now because we have people that think about why something is wrong and often will try to change it. That's my hope for our issue.
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Comment #5 posted by Toker00 on January 14, 2007 at 18:23:49 PT
That's true, FoM.
And the other side of that coin is carpenters in this area who have spent a lifetime honing their skills and deserve to make a good living are being undercut by cheap labor and the acceptance of inferior quality work, to save a buck. Mexico needs to invest in their people just like we do. But right now, the GWB War on You and Me is the most important thing in the world. Since when is all we have to look forward to, as Americans, this so called War on Terror? It was never the American dream. It was the Elite's dream all along. Now it's America's nightmare. If we don't end these wars, they will kill us all.Toke.  
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on January 14, 2007 at 15:43:54 PT
Toker00
The problem the southern border has is so complex I have no idea how to protect illegals trying to work from being exploited. That's the problem I see. I read in an article recently that dry wall workers were getting $4.00 an hour. That's terrible. Up here it is more like $25 an hour and we are rural. No one can live on those wages.
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Comment #3 posted by Toker00 on January 14, 2007 at 15:03:08 PT
Sorry FoM. And OT.
I'll try to be a little more optimistic.Here's my group fighting racism.http://www.khou.com/news/local/stories/khou070113_tnt_illegals.38a71741.htmlI couldn't go again this week, but next week I will. It's ridiculous to prevent any human being from making money to eat and survive, no matter where that human being is. Would they prefer these humans to just steal their way?Toke.
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Comment #2 posted by Toker00 on January 14, 2007 at 14:54:36 PT
Well, that's better...and very welcome news,
but it's still not good enough. As long as murderers and rapists are still allowed financial help and cannabis users/possessors are rejected before or after they begin receiving their "grant", it's still not fair, is it? I think possession and sales offenses of under one kilo of cannabis should be overlooked, if there's no connection to violence or property theft/damage involved in the offense. When it is regulated, remove ALL cannabis possession/sales road blocks.I just don't think anyone should have ever suffered from possessing or being denied a substance of such great potential. Toke.
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on January 14, 2007 at 14:35:10 PT
Tiny Steps
This seems like a good beginning concerning the drug offense issue.
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