High Country Times

WASHINGTON – Today, Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) and Rep. Michelle Steel (R-CA) have raised significant concerns about the prevalence of fraud within the federal student financial aid system. In a letter addressed to Department of Education Inspector General Sandra Bruce, the lawmakers highlighted the disturbing trend of fraudulent activities affecting the distribution of financial aid.

Foxx and Steel expressed their distress over the exploitation of federal student aid programs by criminals utilizing the identities of others to illegitimately obtain funds. The lawmakers revealed that over $5 million in federal student aid has been deceitfully acquired by individuals who falsely claimed enrollment at California community colleges without actually attending.

The lawmakers emphasized the detrimental impact of such fraudulent practices, stating, "The personal toll on students who are prevented from improving their lives through education, as well as the financial toll on this nation, is unacceptable." They highlighted previous instances of fraud within the system and emphasized the need for enhanced measures to combat this ongoing issue.

Foxx and Steel urged the Department of Education to prioritize fraud detection and prevention, calling for a comprehensive briefing to understand the Department's efforts in addressing this critical matter. They emphasized the urgency of taking necessary steps to curb fraudulent activities within the federal student financial aid system.

The letter serves as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by fraudulent practices and the importance of safeguarding the integrity of financial aid distribution to deserving students.