The process for receiving financial aid might be a bit more forgiving in the future.

A committee appointed by congress has made the suggestion to remove a question about whether the candidate has had a drug conviction from the aid application.

In 1998, a provision was added to the Higher Education Act to prevent students convicted of drug charges while attending school from receiving financial aid.

The provision was misinterpreted and is now holding students responsible for charges received prior to college.

Whether a student has been convicted of a drug charge should be irrelevant to their ability to receive financial aid. People make mistakes, and it's likely the person has been punished enough by the court system. To prevent them from the chance to improve their lives by not allowing aid isn't a logical policy.

Officials at MSU's Office of Financial Aid seem to have realized that. Since the question was added to the FAFSA in 1998, MSU has never denied financial aid based on drug convictions according to Val Meyers, the office's associate director. Meyers made an excellent point when he said the government "should use law enforcement, not financial aid," when it comes to drug laws.

It's not up for debate that if you are caught with drugs and convicted, you should pay the price for your actions. Regardless of your feelings about the law, you have broken it and will have to face consequences.

In the end, it seems that if you are serious about saving up for and attending college, buying and using drugs is not your best bet. Like it or not, loans have to be repaid, and interest makes sure that you'll pay more the longer you wait.

Pricey drug habits aren't likely to help you achieve financial independence anytime soon.