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Federal student aid fraud cases

Federal prosecutions and settlements involving federal student aid, compiled from Justice Department announcements, with a state-by-state breakdown.

DOJ announcements
13
Since January 20, 2025
Sentencings
4
Pleaded guilty 4 · Charged 3
Largest amount named
$16M
alleged loss · 2026

Student aid fraud cases by state

Where to report federal student aid fraud

Full steps and reward rules: how to report federal student aid fraud.

Latest announcements

DateAnnouncementStateStageAmount
2026-07-31Florida Woman Sentenced To Two Years In Prison For Orchestrating Multimillion-Dollar Federal Student Aid Loan Forgiveness Fraud SchemeNew YorkSentenced—
2026-07-01For-Profit College Chain Agrees to Pay More Than $1 Million to Resolve Allegations of Inflated Graduation StatisticsPennsylvaniaCivil settlement$1M
2026-06-22Harrison County Woman Sentenced for Falsifying VA Medical Records to Steal Disability Benefits and Erase $242K in Student LoansWest VirginiaSentenced$355K
2026-05-06Detroiter Pleads Guilty in $16M Federal Student Aid Fraud SchemeMichiganPleaded guilty$16M
2026-04-30Florida Woman Pleads Guilty To Orchestrating Multimillion-Dollar Federal Student Loan Forgiveness FraudNew YorkPleaded guilty$5M
2026-03-20Former professor guilty in student financial aid fraud schemeTexasPleaded guilty—
2026-02-25Student Recruiting Firm and Its Principal Agree to Pay $1.3 Million for Fraud on Federal Student Aid ProgramsMassachusettsCivil settlement$1.3M
2026-02-20Grand jury indicts Columbus man for defrauding the U.S. through GI Bill, student aid & disabled veteran loan forgiveness programsOhioCharged—
2025-12-05Harrison County Woman Admits to Theft of Public MoneyWest VirginiaPleaded guilty—
2025-11-21Louisiana Man Sentenced to 84 Months for Cares Act FraudLouisianaSentenced—
2025-09-25Two Detroiters Charged with Stealing Over $12 Million in Separate Federal Student Aid Fraud SchemesMichiganCharged$12M
2025-08-14Harrison County Woman Indicted on Theft and Fraud Charges Relating to Veterans Benefits and Federal Student LoansWest VirginiaCharged—
2025-05-30Hammond Woman Sentenced to Two Years for Cares Act FraudLouisianaSentenced$31K

Source: U.S. Department of Justice press releases, classified by WHIP Reward. Each row is one press release; the same case can appear at several stages, so amounts should not be added. Charged cases are allegations. Search all 13 in the database.

Frequently asked questions

Where do I report federal student aid fraud?

Department of Education OIG hotline: Fraud in student aid and education grants. America.gov/fraud (WHIP reward portal): Required route if you want a WHIP award of $10,000–$30,000.

Can I get a reward for reporting federal student aid fraud?

Yes. Department of Education programs are covered by the federal WHIP program, which pays $10,000–$30,000 per tip that leads to criminal charges. Larger cases can be brought under the False Claims Act, which pays 15–30% of what the government recovers.

Sources

  1. U.S. Department of Justice: Whistleblower Rewards Program
  2. ED OIG hotline
  3. U.S. Department of Justice press releases (justice.gov/news)