(U-WIRE) EAST LANSING, Mich.-A law that bars students convicted of drug possession from receiving federal financial aid may be difficult to implement, according to university officials.

“I wouldn’t call it a good thing for us,” said Rick Shipman, Michigan State University associate director of financial aid. “If a student has rehabilitated himself to the point of pursuing higher education, that suggests that they’ve turned their life around.

“That puts us in a difficult position if that student needs assistance.”

The U.S. Department of Education changed the Higher Education Act on Friday, suspending financial aid for students convicted of drug possession or distribution.

After gathering information from college and university officials, the department composed a list of penalties based on the number of times a student is convicted of drug-related offenses.

“I personally think it’s a very bad law,” said Karen Fooks, University of Florida director of financial aid. “I have some opposition to tying financial aid to every social aspect that the world has ever seen.”

Earlier this year, Fooks sat on a committee that examined the legislation.

Under the revisions, students convicted of one drug-related offense can’t receive financial aid for at least one year.

Students with two such convictions will be barred from receiving aid for two years.

A student convicted of a third offense will lose eligibility indefinitely. The ineligibility will be permanent unless the student successfully participates in a rehabilitation program or the conviction is overturned.

Students convicted of selling drugs will lose eligibility for two years and lose aid indefinitely if convicted a second time.

The change goes into effect July 1 and covers forms of federal financial aid such as student loans and Pell Grants.

The original legislation was signed into law by President Clinton in October 1998, amending the Higher Education Act of 1965. But college officials and loan agencies expressed a need for clarification of the severity of penalties.

The revision takes the responsibility of investigating away from universities. The Department of Education now will conduct such investigations.

“The federal government has determined that people who fail to comply with certain federal mandates need to bear some responsibility,” Shipman said.