Are the penalties of not signing up for selective service at age 18 that strict?

davezhan · 08-22-2008, 02:52 AM

So definitely no FASFA or government financial aid for not registering, right?
And you really lose your citizenship too?
Even if you eventually register before age 26?

# CONSEQUENCES FOR NOT REGISTERING
The maximum penalty for failing to register with Selective Service is a $250,000 fine and up to five years in prison. Failure to register will cause ineligibility for a number of federal and state benefits including:

# FEDERAL JOBS
A man must be registered to be eligible for jobs in the Executive Branch of the Federal government and the U.S. Postal Service. This applies only to men born after December 31, 1959.

# STUDENT FINANCIAL AID
Men who are not registered with Selective Service cannot obtain Federal student loans or grants. This includes Pell Grants, College Work Study, Guaranteed Student/Plus Loans, and National Direct Student Loans.

# CITIZENSHIP
The U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) makes registration with Selective Service a condition for U.S. citizenship, if the man first arrived in the U.S. before his 26th birthday and was required to register.

# FEDERAL JOB TRAINING
The Workforce Investment Act (formerly JTPA) offers important job-training opportunities. This program is only open to those men who register with Selective Service.

# STATE JOBS, LOANS, AND TRAINING
Most states have added additional penalties for those who fail to register with Selective Service.

Cervantes · 08-22-2008, 03:45 AM

Well you're not going to get thrown in the slammer or pay a fine, but yes, you won't be able to file the FAFSA or work for the federal government and all that jazz. But frankly, regardless of if you plan on applying for Financial Aid I *would* register. Even though they haven't thrown anyone in jail or fined them for decades for refusing to do so you may want to one day work in the government or something like that and you won't be able to get a job. But, it's your choice.

Reecy · 08-22-2008, 07:47 AM

You can certainly file a FAFSA, but you won't be entitled to federal grants, loans or work-study.

thumper1 · 08-22-2008, 07:50 AM

Reecy...please clarify post #3. My understanding is that IF the male student is old enough to register for the selective service and checks NO on the FAFSA, the document will not submit properly...it will get coded and flagged.

sybbie719 · 08-22-2008, 07:57 AM

Nikki, wrote on a separate thread regarding registering SS

Quote:

If a student submits their FAFSA answer the "are you male" question on the FAFSA as "yes" and then the SS registration as "no", the DOE will issue a "C-Code" on the FAFSA and alert the school that the student has not registered for Selective Service. If the student is already past the registration age, it will still red-flag and the school will require said student (either situation) to submit documentation to the FA Office showing registration has occurred or the student was exempt from registering. I have denied MANY adults who neglected to register for Selective Service federal aid.

Also, the DOE does cross check with Selective Service and Veteran Affairs to make sure the applicant has registered or is a Veteran.

Not joining selective service = No financial aid?

franglish · 08-22-2008, 07:58 AM

Quote:

The Selective Service System wants you to know that the requirement to register for the military draft did not go away with the end of the Vietnam War. Under the law, virtually all male U.S. citizens, and male aliens living in the U.S., who are ages 18 through 25, are required to register with Selective Service.

Since there is no draft currently in effect, and men are not being classified for service, disabled men, clergymen, and men who believe themselves to be conscientiously opposed to war must also register.

Penalties for Failure to Register for the Draft

Men who do not register could be prosecuted and, if convicted, fined up to $250,000 and/or serve up to five years in prison. In addition, men who fail to register with Selective Service before turning age 26, even if not prosecuted, will become ineligible for:

* Student Financial Aid - including Pell Grants, College Work Study, Guaranteed Student/Plus Loans, and National Direct Student Loans.

* U.S. Citizenship - if the man first arrived in the U.S. before his 26th birthday.

* Federal Job Training - The Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) offers programs that can train young men for jobs in auto mechanics and other skills. This program is only open to those men who register with Selective Service.

* Federal Jobs - men born after December 31, 1959 must be registered to be eligible for jobs in the Executive Branch of the Federal government and the U.S. Postal Service.

It's the law. (The above is from Register for the Draft: It's Still the Law)

standrews · 08-22-2008, 11:58 AM

If a draft is instituted, I imagine the penalties would be quite severe for those not registering. But since there is not currently a draft, the govt isn't going to spend a lot of time and money rounding up non-compliant young men. Neither do they spend money determining whether someone is a conscientious objector. The question of CO status is moot until a draft is started and the person is called to report.

Knowing that it is the law, why wouldn't you want to register with SSS?

Cervantes · 08-22-2008, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Knowing that it is the law, why wouldn't you want to register with SSS?

Probably because even though "it's the law" in theory,practically it is not since its not enforced.

Colbert Nation · 08-23-2008, 03:03 AM

Really, why wouldn't you?

It takes 30 seconds to do.

Chedva · 08-23-2008, 11:56 AM

Quote:

it is not since its not enforced.

It is enforced, just not by jail time. You cannot get any federal funds - that includes the unsubsidized Stafford loans that all students are eligible for otherwise. You cannot gain employment with the federal government. You cannot receive any federal benefits to which you otherwise may be entitled.

Those penalties are enforced, and quite strongly.

NikkiiL · 08-23-2008, 06:43 PM

And it can haunt you your ENTIRE life.

davezhan · 08-30-2008, 02:47 AM

What if you are an avowed pacifist and will not fight in any war unless it is directed at the US? If a draft were enforced for, let's say, a foreign war, wouldn't this put you in direct contradiction with your beliefs since you've registered and pledged to fight, in essence, that foreign war?

Cervantes · 08-30-2008, 03:26 AM

Then you could dodge it. Many people have done it before. And you probably won't be picked, and if you are they'll relegate you to a non-combat role assuming you have the right proof. I.e. you'll be doing menial labor, nursing, whatever the army needs just not combat . Great deal I suppose. That being said, the people who ought to be scared of being drafted aren't kids, its doctors believe it or not.

hsmomstef · 08-30-2008, 10:17 AM

davezhan -- when you register you do not "pledge to fight" in any way. Registration is meant as a means for the government to know how many able-bodied males are available in the case of a draft. If a draft were ever to be instituted (and it takes more than just some guy in the Army saying "hey, let's start a draft") then you would have the opportunity to register as a conscientious objector.

Think of registering for the selective service along the lines of getting a driver's license and paying income tax. You might not like it -- but it is the law and the consequences for no complying can really cause you some problems.

ExplorerCY · 08-30-2008, 11:40 AM

just sign up. why would you not? do you think that, in the .00000000001% chance that there will be a draft again, your life is more important than someone elses? i dont care if you dont believe in the war. that is the price that you pay for freedom. suck it up.

Why would you not sign up?!

i can't even fathom this thread....

...way to think that you are better than other people...