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FOIA Request to University of Maryland System Regarding Financial Aid Fraud on May 7, 2025.
As part of our ongoing commitment to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, we at Baltimore City Wire have submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the University of Maryland System. Our request seeks detailed records concerning financial aid fraud within the institution, a pressing issue highlighted by recent reports from California community colleges.
The article referenced in our request discusses the alarming rise in financial aid fraud, where bots reportedly account for 25% of applicants. These scammers, known as "Pell runners," are exploiting artificial intelligence to secure grants and then disappear, resulting in over $5 million in losses since 2021. Despite efforts to enhance detection measures, this type of fraud continues to challenge cybersecurity protocols and overwhelm online classes.
In our FOIA request, we specifically asked whether the University of Maryland System tracks incidents of financial aid fraud. If such data is available, we requested information including the college name, applicant name, fraud amount, and the date each incident occurred.
Our role as media professionals involves gathering and reporting news that holds public institutions accountable while ensuring transparency for the public. We believe access to these records is crucial for fulfilling our professional responsibilities. Additionally, given our role in disseminating information to the public, we have requested a fee waiver as members of the media.
This request is also supported by The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, a non-profit organization dedicated to investigating state and federal governmental agencies through Freedom of Information and Sunshine Laws. This collaboration aims to shed light on government actions and better inform the American electorate.
We await a response from the University of Maryland System and will continue to report on developments regarding this significant issue.
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