A DUI can have a massive impact on one’s life, especially when it involves someone under the legal drinking age. While the legal penalties tend to be less severe for underage offenders, a DUI can be a huge roadblock for a teen about to go to college.
If you are a parent of a child with a DUI charge, below is some important information that can help you navigate the situation.
How can DUI charges affect college admissions?
Many colleges and universities ask about applicants’ criminal history. If your teen has been charged with a DUI, they must disclose their conviction in their application.
A criminal background might not be the only factor colleges consider during the admissions process, but it can certainly reduce the chances of acceptance. This is especially true for prestigious and very selective institutions. A DUI may raise concerns about decision-making and responsibility.
Certain academic programs, especially those in health care or education, may also have stricter admission policies regarding criminal records.
What about scholarships and financial aid?
Similarly, a DUI conviction can affect the possibility of your child receiving financial aid and scholarship grants. DUIs typically don’t affect federal financial aid eligibility, but private sources of aid may have restrictions.
On the other hand, some scholarships have conduct requirements that may disqualify applicants with DUI convictions.
Can I expunge my teen’s DUI record?
In Pennsylvania, it is possible to expunge your teen’s juvenile record once they turn 18 years old. This applies to cases where the juvenile was 14 or older at the time of the offense and has no further arrests or adjudications for five years. An experienced lawyer can help with this.
Expungement means the offense never happened in the eyes of the law. This can make it easier to get into college; it removes the stigma of a criminal record and your teen does not have to disclose it.
What else can my teen do to get into college?
Expunging a record may not be possible for at least five years after the charge. Nevertheless, there are other ways your teen can increase their chances of admission:
- Highlighting their academic achievements
- Taking accountability in college essays or interviews
- Focusing on positive changes after the incident
- Engaging in extracurriculars
While a DUI can serve as a challenge for an incoming college student, proper accountability and action can turn it into a mere speed bump in your child’s journey.
