The Impact of Criminal Charges on College Admissions and Scholarships

Criminal charges don’t just threaten your freedom, they can derail your entire educational future. At the Law Offices of William Bruzzo, our Orange County criminal defense lawyer brings over 30 years of experience protecting students whose college dreams are at risk. With deep familiarity with Orange County courts and prosecutors, we work to minimize the impact of criminal charges on admissions and financial aid. 

California’s Ban the Box Law: Protection for Orange County Students Applying to College

Since 2020, California Education Code § 66024.5 stops almost every college in the state (UC, CSU, community colleges, and most private schools) from asking about criminal history on initial applications. That means your Orange County arrest or juvenile case will not appear when you apply to UCLA, UCI, Chapman, or Orange Coast College.

Exceptions exist for nursing, teaching, law, and medical programs, but for most Orange County high school seniors and college students, this law is a game-changer.

Will Criminal Charges Disqualify You from Federal Financial Aid in Orange County?

No. The FAFSA Simplification Act removed drug convictions as a barrier years ago. As your local Orange County criminal defense attorneys, we confirm: you remain fully eligible for Pell Grants, federal loans, and work-study unless you are currently locked up in state or federal prison. Probation, house arrest, or juvenile camp in Orange County does not affect aid.

Hidden Risks After Admission: What Orange County Students Need to Know

Even if you’re admitted without disclosure, background checks can still appear for:

• Clinical rotations or student teaching
• On-campus housing at UCI, CSUF, or Chapman
• Study abroad programs
• Future licensing in healthcare, education, or law

A conviction that survives can block you years later. That’s why our Orange County criminal defense lawyers fight for dismissals, diversions, and immediate sealing (WIC § 786 for juveniles, PC § 1203.4 for adults).

Speak to an Experienced Orange County Criminal Defense Lawyer Today

Don’t let one mistake in Orange County cost you UCI, a scholarship, or your dream career. The Law Offices of William Bruzzo have been defending students in Orange County courts since 1994. We secure outcomes that protect college admissions and financial aid every single week.

Call us right now for a free, confidential consultation at (714) 547-4636 or contact us online. We answer nights and weekends because your future can’t wait.