re: 'Ghost' students have become an issue, making up 50% of enrollment at some schools

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How are fraudsters scamming the system?

Of those who applied to state community colleges from January through December 2024, 31% were determined to be likely fraudulent. That’s more than 1.2 million applications, according to data from the office of the chancellor for the college system.

Anyone who applies to a California community college is admitted. This accessibility, coupled with the increase in remote and hybrid formats for classes since the COVID-19 pandemic, creates vulnerabilities that scammers exploit to cash in on both state and federal financial aid.

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Fraudsters, with the help of stolen identities, bots and artificial intelligence, act as dozens or even hundreds of students. They join classes and remain enrolled until they receive their financial aid checks. The fake students often take up limited spots in classes actual students need to take, creating headaches for both students and staff.

Although any financial aid goes toward tuition first, low-income community college students pay little or no tuition in California, meaning they receive funds directly to use for books, housing, food or other needs while they’re in school.

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