More coursework to fight academic fraud?
According to the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, the rate of improper payments of Pell Grants is down, from 3.12% in 2010 to 2.7% in 2011, but the dollar amount is up, from $600 million in 2009 to $1 billion in 2011.
Amid rising concern that fraud rings are making off with millions of dollars of federal financial aid, some of the colleges most at risk have come up with one deterrent that is notable for its simplicity: They’re assigning more coursework.
Sometimes called “Pell runners” because they often exploit the Pell Grant program for low-income students, the scammers typically target schools with low tuition and minimal academic requirements. They apply for aid, sometimes using identities of multiple witting or unwitting participants.
A portion of the money goes to the college for tuition and fees; the rest is “refunded” to students. They’re expected to spend it on books, transportation and other expenses, but scammers skedaddle as soon as they pocket the aid.
Read the rest of the story from the original article in USAToday
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