Higher education for folks with felony records

deb · #1 11-21-2002, 10:15 PM

A few days ago someone posted asking about higher education for someone with a felony record. I believe it was a woman inquiring about her son. Many replies followed. I posted that I would talk to our Financial Aid Director and find out the answers today and post the responses.

Our Director stated that "a person is eligible for pel grants as long as their felony conviction was not drug related." The FAFSA fom asks students if they were previously convicted of possessing or concealing drugs or another drug related offense (not the exact wording) and if the student answers "yes" than a work sheet is to be filled out asking them further questions. HOWEVER, A PERSON WITH A FELONY DRUG CONVICTION IS ELIGIBLE FOR A PEL GRANT IF THE CONVICTION WAS MORE THAN 3 YEARS AGO AND IF THEY SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED A TREATMENT PROGRAM (and this can even be has and is currently attending AA and/or NA meetings).

If a person answers "No" and the answer was truly "yes" to the conviction of a drug related offense---the form states they can receive a $20,000 fine and prison time. Now, our financial aid director did not believe that currently they have the capability to check the validity of the "no" answer--but probably will at some time in the future. I hope the woman who posted the initial question sees this posting........

Deb

jdswifey02 · #2 11-22-2002, 11:01 AM

Thanks for the information!!! I didn't realize that as long as it WASN'T a drug offense, they were still eligible for grants.... That's GOOD news for JD!!

Lazar · #3 04-10-2005, 07:31 PM

Getting a higher education with a felony on your record is a total waste of time and money. I have a Bachelor's degree in chemistry with about 6 years experience working in labs around Houston. Then I was arrested and spend 3 1/2 years in prison. I got out 2 years ago and have been picking up trash on a construction site ever since. Paying off your student loans on nine bucks an hour really sucks.
I've been applying for every lab job available, even ones that I'm way overqualified for. No dice. I've tried every angle - being totally honest, lying, etc. and still no luck. I have been to about 30 or 40 interviews since being released and have gotten maybe 15 offers from the people I interviewed with, but as soon as I fill out the application and check the box that asks "Have you ever been convicted of a felony" I get turned down. Twice I flat out lied, thinking the company was too rinky-dink to do background checks. They did.

Think along the lines of a trade school, involving a trade that doesn't require background checks. I'm about to start welding school myself.

And with that in mind, does anyone out there have any advice on a career as a welder with a felony? I have looked up welding jobs on monster.com and the staffing agencies that are posting on there are requiring a background check. I'm hoping that most local fab shops and maybe pipeline jobs don't care about felonies on your record. Any thoughts??

MrsBenji · #4 04-10-2005, 07:46 PM

Lazar,
Welcome to PTO! I work with around 250 small businesses and I know that most of the *blue collar* ones are more willing to hire guys who are ex-cons than those who aren't quite blue collar. I have had several clients hold jobs for guys who really worked well and had to spend a bit in county jail. Different priorities I spose. Guys who run a construction company care whether you actually work or not and that is the bottom line with them.

And getting higher education isn't a waste, not always. Sometimes it prepares you to own/run your own business or it gets you past the years immediately after release. If nothing else, it might help to boost someone's self confidence.

Good luck!
Jenn

Ps. Have you looked at getting your loans forgiven? I know some loans will be forgiven if you aren't able to gain employment in the field. Just a thought.

Sorry Deb! I kinda went off topic!!! Feel free to smack me!

Lazar · #5 04-11-2005, 07:23 PM

No way! If you know any resources that I could check into for getting out of my loans, please let me know. This site takes *forever* to load with my old computer and a dial-up connection, so if you got any info, please email it to email removed per PTO policy.
Thanks!

IrishQueen · #6 04-11-2005, 07:48 PM

I personally believe that getting a higher education is worthwhile whether you use it or not. I whole heartedly encourage anyone to better themselves. There has been far more I learned out of the classroom then in the classroom and I haven't used my education for a job as of yet and I don't know if I will. I have on the otherhand learned about other cultures, music, art, history, and I have learned that people in the educational world are far more open minded and are willing to help people with felony backgrounds get a nice job, if they show the drive and motivation in the classroom. Education is a source of self improvement and self empowerment with or without a felony conviction and can give you the connections you can use to better your employment opportunities.
I do not have a felony conviction, but my boyfriend does and since I have been in college I have made many connections with people who are willing to help him when he gets out. They are far more educated than I may ever be and they are the people who are willing to give to others. Don't shut out opportunity just because something isn't working for you now. I am sure your education has given you more than just student loans.

haswtch · #7 04-11-2005, 09:44 PM

IrishQueen makes an interesting point- very educated people tned to be more openminded, as somebody also said of blue-collar people- it's the in-between that is the problem, I think.

titantoo · #8 04-11-2005, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lazar

Getting a higher education with a felony on your record is a total waste of time and money. I have a Bachelor's degree in chemistry with about 6 years experience working in labs around Houston. Then I was arrested and spend 3 1/2 years in prison. I got out 2 years ago and have been picking up trash on a construction site ever since. Paying off your student loans on nine bucks an hour really sucks.
I've been applying for every lab job available, even ones that I'm way overqualified for. No dice. I've tried every angle - being totally honest, lying, etc. and still no luck. I have been to about 30 or 40 interviews since being released and have gotten maybe 15 offers from the people I interviewed with, but as soon as I fill out the application and check the box that asks "Have you ever been convicted of a felony" I get turned down. Twice I flat out lied, thinking the company was too rinky-dink to do background checks. They did.

Think along the lines of a trade school, involving a trade that doesn't require background checks. I'm about to start welding school myself.

And with that in mind, does anyone out there have any advice on a career as a welder with a felony? I have looked up welding jobs on monster.com and the staffing agencies that are posting on there are requiring a background check. I'm hoping that most local fab shops and maybe pipeline jobs don't care about felonies on your record. Any thoughts??

I believe you but think it is awful. Its like being punished for life.
I know it is no consolation to you but in my opinion it is a condemnation of our society here in the US. I am perfectly willing to be corrected but I bet the same isn't true in many other countries. Our "wonderful politicans" encourage this point of view by preventing felons from voting, for example, even after they have completed their sentence!

seansgram · #9 04-11-2005, 11:42 PM

Felonies CAN VOTE, this is said by an attorney. THEY don't won't you to and will not tell you that you can vote>>>>>>>>>>>>>............at least here in Ohio...it should be everywhere but I am not sure about that.