Financial Aid Fraud
Clark State College follows established guidelines for the prevention, identification and response to indications of financial aid fraud and identity theft.
Students and potential students who enroll in classes and accept financial aid based on enrollment with no intent to complete classes may be considered perpetrators of financial aid fraud. The student's tuition and fees are usually paid by financial aid funds, and the student receives refunds of financial aid funds in excess of those costs.
Falsifying information either on the Clark State application for admission or on the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is also considered to be fraudulent.
Based on guidance issued by the Office of the Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Education, Clark State has instituted procedures designed to identify those students who may be committing financial aid fraud or be at risk of being a victim of this crime.
Identity Theft
Individuals who use personally identifying information of other people to apply for admission to college, receive financial aid and then enroll in classes are committing identity theft. Often, the victimized student is not aware that they have been enrolled in classes, and the financial aid funds in their name are sent to the individual who is perpetrating the fraud. This frequently results in the victimized student being left with unpaid debt at the institution and with the U.S. Department of Education due to student loans that were obtained in their name.
Response to Financial Aid Fraud or Identify Theft
When a Clark State student is identified as being a potential victim or perpetrator of financial aid fraud, their account at the College is placed on hold. This hold prevents the student from registering and prevents the disbursement of any pending financial aid funds. Financial aid funds for the current semester may also be revoked pending resolution. The hold will remain in place until the student has provided any documents that Clark State may request. Clark State reserves the right to leave the hold in place until those documents are provided by the student.
In cases where Clark State finds that there is significant reason to be concerned that financial aid fraud is occurring, the College has an obligation to refer that information to the Office of The Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Education. In these instances the College will leave the hold in place until instructed by the Department of Education that it is appropriate to lift the hold.
Students who are victims of identity theft and/or financial aid fraud are urged to file a police report and seek assistance from appropriate authorities outside of the College.
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