Are You Committing FAFSA Fraud to "Save All You Can?"

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070918083057AAh3oSX

"Saving all you can..." For what? That new car to drive to college with or that first Spring Break trip you've been saving up for?

FAFSA Fraud has severe penalties, probably far greater than the FinAid difference you will get by lying to yourself, and both the government and your intended graduate school. Then, if found out, your record of fraud will still be there when your children come around asking for aid, it will become part of your permanent family record, not just your own, the government will never allow you to co-sign any federal or state loan with such a record.

And then comes the question of your own ethical integrity. You will always know you stole the money. "They'll never find out" really isn't as true as you might think. There are new programs designed to detect fraud and the greater burden is placed on the college which has more to lose by not reporting you.

Stand up and act ethically from the start. Don't start off your professional career with lies, they will haunt you forever...and set a pattern of behavior that can dog you well into your life beyond graduate school.

The last time I checked, taking money under false pretenses is clearly defined as fraud and theft. As an older graduate (I hope you're not considering law school) you've seem as though you've been financially harmed before and are seeking systemic retribution.