CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) - Fifteen people in the Charleston area have been indicted on charges that they took out more than $400,000 in student loans while never planning to attend college.
The Post and Courier of Charleston reports that the indictments were handed down Friday.
The defendants face charges of mail fraud, wire fraud and financial aid fraud.
The indictment says that beginning in 2006, the scam involved taking out student loans for online classes at the University of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University and Capella University.
Student loans go directly to the schools, but once tuition and fees are deducted, the balance is passed on to students.
The indictment says that checks ranging from $219 to roughly $4,700 were mailed to people in North Charleston, Walterboro, Green Pond, Ruffin, Fairfax, Yemassee and Cottageville.
