Student Financial Aid Scam

21 Californians have been indicted in an alleged scheme to rip off federal student aid funds. According to the US Attorney’s office for the Eastern District of California, the suspects recruited individuals to act as straw students and to apply for federal student aid funds at a number of schools, including Santa Barbara City College. Authorities say, the thieves drop out of school and spend the money on luxury items instead. Agents recovered nearly $1,000,000 dollars in California. More cases are under investigation and more indictments are expected.