Reporting Fraud to the Office of the Inspector General

Pursuant to federal regulation 34 CFR 668.16(g), the institution must refer to the Department of Education’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) any credible information indicating that an applicant for federal student aid may have engaged in fraud or other criminal misconduct in connection with his or her application. Common misconduct may include, but is not limited to, false claims of independent student status, false claims of citizenship, use of false identities, forgery of signatures of certifications and false statements of income.

The institution will also refer to the OIG any third-party servicer who may have engaged in fraud, breach of fiduciary responsibility, or other illegal conduct involving federal student aid programs. 

Once a concern that fraud has occurred surfaces, the assistant director for financial aid and/or director of financial aid will be made aware and will then coordinate with the director of student services, in consultation with legal counsel, as appropriate. Notification to the Office of Inspector General will occur. The director of student services will make the appropriate determination with regard to student conduct procedures. 

In the event of a breach in information security, the institution will work with the Office of Integrated Services and the OIG will immediately be notified.