If you have read the tips for felons who are looking for a job, you may be thinking of going to college. If the career path you wish to pursue requires that you have a college degree, going to college is a step in the right direction. The question you may be asking now is ‘do colleges reject applicants with a criminal history?’ In this section, we will answer this question.
A felon may apply and be given admission to institutions of higher education. Your criminal history may not be an issue when you apply to a college or university. The college or university you apply to will determine if your criminal history will affect your application process. This is because some colleges ask for your criminal history while others do not.
Even the schools that ask for your criminal history will not decide if you will be given admission based on your criminal history alone. Other factors will be considered to determine if you are granted admission to the college or university.
Some factors that will determine if a felon is admitted into a college or university include;
– Your past academic qualification
– The program you want to study
– Your criminal history
– The crime you committed (How severe was the offense?)
– The behavior you have shown since your re-entry into society
– Reference letters from people around you
– Are you a threat to the safety of the people on the campus?
These factors will help the college ascertain if a felon should be allowed to attend the college. Each application is considered on a case by case basis. For further information, check out this article on jobs for felons.
Importantly, the college or university will not reject your application automatically because of a felony conviction. Many colleges are willing to give felons a second chance and an opportunity to improve themselves.
Before you start studying a course, ensure that you can pursue a career in that field as a felon. You can research professions that felons may be unable to practice. You should also speak to an admissions counselor. In some cases, you will be able to work in your chosen field if you get a pardon.
Importantly, if your application is rejected from one institution, it may be accepted by another. A way to ensure you gain admission is to apply to 2 or 3 colleges that you would like to attend. If you have a job already, you can enroll as a part-time student. You can also choose to attend an online college; this option is flexible and desired by people who do not have a lot of free time.
Funding is an issue that many people are faced with when they want to go to college. Felons who cannot afford to pay for the fees can apply for grants and loans. We suggest that you look for loans or grants that are created for felons.
