How will an arrest affect the opportunities, financial aid, and education you receive in college? Find out here…
Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for a college student to be arrested. In particular, many students are charged with driving under the influence, drug possession, and sexual assault. Charges like this can have devastating consequences, especially if the student is attending or has applied to college.
Even if there was a no comment interview, just some of the consequences of an arrest can include a rejected application, being denied financial aid, removal from sports teams and mandatory counselling. In the following article, we will discuss the effects an arrest can have on your college studies.
What Might Happen at College After Your Arrest?
Expulsion After a Criminal Charge
Many colleges will not want to have their name attached to a serious criminal offence and will go to every length to disassociate with the offender.
Because of this, if you have committed a severe crime that will damage the college’s reputation and suggests that you may be a danger to fellow students and teachers, you will probably be expelled.
Applications to College After an Arrest
When it comes to accepting a student onto a course after an arrest, every college is different. Some have a no-tolerance policy, whereas others base their decision on the severity of the crime.
Any violent crimes or sexual offences will not be tolerated by many organisations, and it is likely that any admission offer you have received will be rescinded. However, for more minor offences, like drunk driving, many colleges will still consider your application, although there may be restrictions on the type of course you can apply for.
Restrictions on the type of course you can apply for with a criminal record
If you are applying to college or if you have been arrested during your studies, you may find that there are now restrictions on the courses you can study and the career paths you will be able to pursue in the future.
For example, depending on the severity of your crime, you might not be allowed to participate in courses that lead to a career working with children or vulnerable adults. In some cases, you may even be accepted onto a college course, only to find that you will not be able to use the resulting degree in specific fields.
After an arrest, you should check to see what you are able to enroll in and how it will affect your future career. You can also use online background check tools, such as UnMask, to see what charges appear on your public records.
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Removal From College Groups and Clubs After an Arrest
An arrest will not only affect your education, but any extracurricular groups or activities you are part of or wanted to join.
It’s possible that you will be denied access to college groups, or even removed from sports teams after an arrest. On top of this, you may be banned from participating in any student boards.
How Will Your College Respond to Your Arrest?
If your offence was minor and will not damage the reputation of your college, the consequences of an arrest may not be as severe as expulsion. However, you may still have violated the student codes of conduct. This means your college will hold a meeting with you to discuss your charges.
At this point, they may get in touch with your family members to discuss options and the consequences. So, it’s important that you keep the people in your life up to date on the situation.
In some cases, the college will do a risk assessment to decide whether you are a threat to the people around you, like your fellow students and teachers. As a result, you may be required to face other forms of punishment, for example:
- Drug counselling
- Anger management
- Community service
What Are the Financial Repercussions of an Arrest?
Grants, scholarships, and loans
Another impact of a criminal record is on any grants, scholarships, and loans you may have applied for. For crimes that fall into certain categories like sexual offences, you may not be able to qualify for financial aid. This is also often true for drug-related or violent crimes.
If you do have a criminal record, it is still possible to apply for Federal Student Aid, even if you are on probation when you do so.
Student housing qualifications
When applying for student housing, it’s often necessary to declare any arrests that you may have on your record. Unfortunately, this can make it more difficult to qualify for student housing.
In many cases, students with a criminal record have found that their housing applications are immediately rejected, although it will depend on the severity of the crime and the type of accommodation.
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Why do you need to know how an arrest will affect your college studies?
Being arrested whilst you are attending or applying to a college can have major consequences regarding your education, future, and financial stability. It’s important to be aware of all the different ways you will be affected so that you can make informed decisions and move past this experience.
Please be advised that this article is for general informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for advice from a trained legal professional. Be sure to consult a legal professional if you’re seeking advice about heading to college after an arrest or criminal charge. We are not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on this site.