Scholarships a step forward

The idea behind scholarships and grants is to assist students who could not otherwise attend an institution of higher learning. While these aid dollars are certainly a privilege, they should be available to anyone who qualifies -- without discrimination.\nThese schools have not created a separate pool of financial aid for students with drug records; rather they have expanded their pool to include all students with merit, no matter what their history is. This refusal to discriminate captures the essence of what financial aid is about -- the need of the student. \nJust because a student had a past encounter with drugs doesn't mean that when the offense has been paid for with whatever punishment was allotted, the student doesn't have a need for a college education.\nIf academic institutions refuse to help drug offenders, then their path to further correction is limited once again. Getting drug offenders on the right track is what America's war against drugs needs to emphasize. Helping them receive an education that can lead to stability and a more secure future could be the determinate for the course of the rest of their life.\nWhile it is unfortunate that not all students who need aid can receive it, the government shouldn't limit who is able to apply. Drug offenders receive government-subsidized housing, medical benefits and various other forms of government-funded aid. Giving people with offenses a chance to rise above their past is the only way the cycle can be broken.