Apparently the reporter here doesn't have this totally correct. In HB-4137 Congress has made certain offenders ineligible to receive Pell Grants, those offenders are sex offenders confined to a civil commitment center, and offenders who have committed a murder and are in prison, and any other offender convicted of a offense against a minor. However, it appears that other offenders, under the age of 35 and within 7 years of parole, while in prison are eligible for such grants. (See below article for bill specifics)
8-1-2008 National:
MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Some of the nation's worst sex offenders will no longer receive federal financial aid for college while they're confined in treatment centers (Civil Commitment Centers) under a bill approved by Congress.
A little-noticed provision approved by the House and Senate yesterday makes those offenders ineligible for Pell Grants starting July 1, 2009. President Bush is expected to sign it into law as part of a broader higher education bill.
The Associated Press reported in March that dozens of rapists and child molesters, including some in Wisconsin, have taken classes at taxpayer expense while confined by the courts to treatment centers. Critics say they are exploiting a loophole to receive Pell Grants, which are meant for low-income students.
Congressman Ric Keller of Florida says "the most insane wasteful spending program in America has come to an end."
But critics say the plan will cut off the possibility of higher education to offenders who are trying to rehabilitate themselves. ..News Source.. by WXOW News
(E) in paragraph (7) (as designated by subparagraph (B)), by inserting before the period the following: `or who is subject to an involuntary civil commitment upon completion of a period of incarceration for a forcible or nonforcible sexual offense (as determined in accordance with the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Uniform Crime Reporting Program)'; and
`(e) Student Eligibility- An incarcerated individual who has obtained a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent shall be eligible for participation in a program receiving a grant under this section if such individual--
`(1) is eligible to be released within seven years (including an incarcerated individual who is eligible for parole within such time);
`(2) is 35 years of age or younger; and
`(3) has not been convicted of--
`(A) a `criminal offense against a victim who is a minor' or a `sexually violent offense', as such terms are defined in the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children and Sexually Violent Offender Registration Act (42 U.S.C. 14071 et seq.); or
`(B) murder, as described in section 1111 of title 18, United States Code.
`(f) Length of Participation- A State correctional education agency receiving a grant under this section shall provide educational and related services to each participating incarcerated individual for a period not to exceed seven years, not more than two years of which may be devoted to study in a graduate education degree program or to coursework to prepare such individuals to take college level courses. Educational and related services shall start during the period of incarceration in prison or prerelease, and the related services may continue for not more than two years after release from confinement.
`(g) Education Delivery Systems- State correctional education agencies and cooperating institutions shall, to the extent practicable, use high-tech applications in developing programs to meet the requirements and goals of this section.
`(h) Allocation of Funds- From the funds appropriated pursuant to subsection (i) for each fiscal year, the Secretary shall allot to each State an amount that bears the same relationship to such funds as the total number of students eligible under subsection (e) in such State bears to the total number of such students in all States.
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