Campus Protest Convictions Could Mean Permanent Ban on Federal Student Loans and Forgiveness

The “No Student Loans for Campus Criminals Act” is a pretty straightforward piece of legislation with potentially massive, lifelong financial consequences. Simply put, if you are convicted of any federal or state crime related to your actions during a protest that took place on a college campus, you lose access to almost all federal student aid benefits—forever.

The Permanent Financial Penalty Box

This bill creates a new class of financial exclusion. If you are convicted of a crime connected to an on-campus protest, Section 2 immediately bars you from receiving any federal student loan forgiveness, cancellation, waiver, or modification. This restriction applies whether you were counting on an existing program under the Higher Education Act or even a future Executive Order. For someone who was planning on Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) or any income-driven repayment relief, this provision slams the door shut, regardless of how long you’ve been paying your loans.

No New Loans, No Second Chances

Beyond losing forgiveness on existing debt, the bill also cuts off access to future funding. Individuals convicted under these circumstances are prohibited from taking out any new federal student loans, specifically those made under Part D of Title IV of the Higher Education Act. This restriction is broad, applying to virtually all federal student loans—including those made under the Public Health Service Act’s Health Education Assistance Loan Program—and it applies to loans taken out both before and after this law is enacted. Think about a former student who gets convicted for something minor, like trespassing or disorderly conduct, during a protest. That conviction could mean they can never go back to school using federal aid, even years later, to get the certification or degree they need to change careers.

The Devil in the Details: “Any Crime”

The real sting here lies in the phrase “any crime.” The bill doesn't differentiate between a felony conviction for assault and a misdemeanor conviction for violating a local noise ordinance or minor property damage during a protest. If the conviction is tied to your actions during a campus protest, the financial penalty is the same: you lose all federal loan relief and future borrowing eligibility. This means a single, relatively minor conviction could lead to a disproportionate, permanent financial burden, potentially making a student’s existing debt load unmanageable and blocking future educational opportunities. For many people aged 25–45 who rely on federal aid to upskill or manage massive student debt, this is a life-altering financial restriction tied to expressive activity.