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FOIA Request to Nebraska's Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education Regarding Financial Aid Fraud on May 7, 2025.
As part of our ongoing commitment to transparency and accountability in governmental affairs, SE Nebraska News has submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the Nebraska's Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education. This request seeks detailed records concerning incidents of financial aid fraud within the state's higher education institutions.
The request specifically asks for data under the Nebraska Public Records Law § 84-712 et seq., preferably in electronic format. We are seeking information that includes the names of colleges involved, applicant names, amounts associated with fraudulent activities, and the dates these incidents occurred.
This inquiry was prompted by a report highlighting significant financial aid fraud issues faced by California community colleges. According to an article from CalMatters, these institutions have been grappling with scams where bots account for 25% of applicants. These "Pell runners" use artificial intelligence to obtain grants and then disappear, resulting in losses exceeding $5 million since 2021. Despite efforts to enhance detection and cybersecurity measures, this problem persists.
Our role as a media organization involves gathering and disseminating news to hold public institutions accountable while ensuring transparency for the public. As such, we have requested a fee waiver due to our status as media professionals.
Additionally, we are affiliated with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization dedicated to investigating state and federal governmental agencies through Freedom of Information and Sunshine Laws. Our mission is to inform the American electorate by shedding light on government actions.
We await a response from the commission and remain committed to providing comprehensive coverage on this important issue.
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