College students need to remain on the right side of the law or risk serious punishment. In addition to all the criminal charges on the table, students can lose the perks of going to college. In late 2018, a Missouri college basketball player received a suspension after a DUI arrest. 

Student-athletes can lose their places on teams if cops arrest them. Other students can lose other privileges as a result of driving under the influence. In some cases, it can result in the loss of scholarships and other forms of financial aid. It is best to fight these charges, so you avoid a misdemeanor or felony charge on your record completely. 

Impact on college applications

Students still in high school should not consume alcohol, but many still do. High schoolers with DUIs on their records may feel concerned about their standings. In general, a DUI may not impact your ability to get into college, but it could play a role. You need to state you have a criminal record on your college applications. Some students do not see the harm in lying, but colleges will find out. You are better off admitting to the convictions upfront and hoping for the best. 

Impact on college life

It is rare for a first-time DUI charge to result in expulsion. This is dependent on whether the student caused any property damage or bodily harm during the incident. Students convicted of DUIs may lose their status on student clubs that have honor codes members needs to abide by. 

Impact on financial aid

The impact on your financial aid depends on the criteria set forth by the organization that provides the scholarship. Some organizations have strict guidelines for how recipients need to behave. Any kind of criminal conviction could result in the loss of the scholarship. As a result, it can become much more difficult to pay for college due to one mistake.