A Marijuana conviction will prevent students from receiving any financial aid for 1 year.  A subsequent conviction will prevent aid for two years.  Furthermore, if you get convicted of possession of Marijuana at a time you were receiving financial aid, you can be required to repay the student aid you received for that semester in full.  If you have any defenses available, you might get the charge amended to a Possession of Paraphernalia charge that does not trigger the penalties for marijuana possession.  The student will also be required to repay the current semester's aid if convicted for possession after having received the aid.