Washington university approves scholarship for those convicted of drug offenses

BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Western Washington University&#39;s student government approved a $750 scholarship for students who have lost their federal financial aid because of drug convictions.<br> <br> &#34;It&#39;s not to reward someone who made a mistake,&#34; said Corey Eichner, student body president. &#34;The idea is to help people who are showing a desire to make their life better.&#34;<br> <br> Starting last year, federal law barred students with drug convictions from receiving federal financial aid for at least one year after each conviction. The aid can be reinstated if the student completes a rehabilitation program.<br> <br> The scholarship will be offered for the first time in the 2002-03 academic year. It is one of 17 scholarships and childcare vouchers funded by the student government, with revenues generated by sales of a book of ads and coupons.<br> <br> So far, only one Western student has lost federal aid because of a previous drug conviction, school officials said. The school has more than 12,000 full- and part-time students.<br> <br>