Had 2 sealed inditments, 2 felonies got 5 yrs probation and got off in three. Can i get financial aid ?

Question

basically want to got to college for a degree. and will this stop when it comes to employment

Answer 1

Your concerns should be more targeted toward the university admissions process than financial aid.  Almost every school will ask you - on the admissions application - if you have a criminal record, and you must supply complete information for the admissions department's review. Some schools admission's policies explicitly exclude applicants who have "serious" criminal records, usually defined as "felony convictions".

That's less of an issue for financial aid - which of course only matters if you are admitted. The credit bureaus do not keep records of any criminal convictions, and to the best of my knowledge, the Department of Education and educational lenders do not use criminal history as a criteria for lending.

If you are hoping to overcome your past problems, I think it's imperative that you openly divulge your criminal record during the admissions process - in fact, if you are offered the opportunity to submit a personal statement or essay as part of the application, you should directly address these past events and explain how the lessons that you have learned from your past indiscretions have made you a more mature and responsible person today.

As for employment - yes, unfortunately, most employers will ask about your criminal history, and there are no legal bars to hiring 'discrimination' on the basis of a prior criminal record. How much of an obstacle these convictions will become is probably most related to the nature of the crimes. If the crimes were related to misappropriation of money (robbery, burglary, extortion, embezzlement) or acts of violence, I think you'll experience long-term employment consequences.

So - first find a school that will accept you, but be upfront about your past. If you can get in, your eligibility for financial aid will be based on need, just like any other student. Long-term, you have a lot to overcome, but all that means is that your challenge will be a little more intense. There are opportunities for individuals who have truly reformed themselves, and the development of a good academic resume is probably a great first step in demonstrating a turn-around.

Best of luck to you!