Video: ‘Ghost students’ cost Utah’s higher education system over $840K last year

Jun 17, 2026, 12:14 PM | Updated: 2:50 pm

Video

A legislative audit released Tuesday found Utah’s higher education landscape has experienced a surge in enrollment fraud.

Typically, the audit said, this occurs when people — commonly known as “ghost students” — use false or stolen identities to enroll in higher education institutions to obtain financial aid or other resources.

When fraudulent attempts succeed, the colleges are required to pay the federal government back for the loss.

It’s a waste of both money and time that Utah is no stranger to, as Utah System of Higher Education institutions reported disbursing $834,000 to suspected fraudulent applicants and spending over 15,000 hours working to mitigate enrollment fraud from 2025 to 2026, according to the audit.

Read: https://www.ksl.com/article/51512236/audit-ghost-students-cost-utahs-higher-education-system-over-840k-last-year

—-

Socials for KSL TV:
Posts by KSL5TV
https://www.facebook.com/ksltv
https://www.instagram.com/kslnews/

Socials for KSL NewsRadio:
Posts by kslnewsradio
https://www.facebook.com/KSLNewsradio/
https://www.instagram.com/ksl_newsradio/

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Video

KSL NewsRadio Video

Video: Mayor reacts to Gov. Cox’s ‘hybrid’ fireworks policy

Fireworks restrictions are back for Pioneer Day… sort of. After Gov. Spencer Cox implemented a hybrid restriction policy, Bountiful Mayor Kate Bradshaw applauded the governor’s decision to grant local control with regard to firework bans. Here’s what else she had to say. More on the bans this week: https://www.ksl.com/article/51599899/ —- Socials for KSL TV: Posts […]

2 days ago

KSL NewsRadio Video

Video: Deep dive into a weekend of deadly weather in Utah

It was a heartbreaking weekend of deadly wild weather across the state. Flash flooding in Wayne County is suspected of killing five family members who were out camping, hiking, and rappelling near Bicknell. The same storm system forced water and mud down the mountain and into the town of Beaver. Much of the debris came […]

3 days ago

KSL NewsRadio Video

Video: Ask the Attorney: Questions from Tyler Robinson’s preliminary hearing

KSL viewers had lots of questions during last week’s preliminary hearing for Tyler Robinson, the man accused of killing Charlie Kirk. KSL Legal Analyst Greg Skordas answers many of the questions asked by Utahns. —- Socials for KSL TV: Posts by KSL5TV https://www.facebook.com/ksltv https://www.instagram.com/kslnews/ Socials for KSL NewsRadio: Posts by kslnewsradio https://www.facebook.com/KSLNewsradio/ https://www.instagram.com/ksl_newsradio/

10 days ago

KSL NewsRadio Video

Video: KSL Legal Analyst shares frustrations with how long Robinson preliminary hearing has lasted

Will Tyler Robinson’s preliminary hearing actually end on Friday? Is there enough evidence to go to trial? Greg Skordas and Holly Richardson discuss this and more. —- Socials for KSL TV: Posts by KSL5TV https://www.facebook.com/ksltv https://www.instagram.com/kslnews/ Socials for KSL NewsRadio: Posts by kslnewsradio https://www.facebook.com/KSLNewsradio/ https://www.instagram.com/ksl_newsradio/

14 days ago

KSL NewsRadio Video

Video: What can we learn about peace from different cultures?

Peace is one of the ultimate goals of humanity. We talk about peace, we pray for peace and we hope to promote peace. But when push comes to shove, we often forget peace. As we move on from America250, Inside Sources spent some time talking about the importance of peace and how we can actually […]

17 days ago

KSL NewsRadio Video

Video: America’s National Flower: The Rose | KSL Celebrates America 250

Did you know the rose is America’s national flower? 🇺🇸🌹 As we celebrate America 250, we’re honoring the flower that President Reagan called “the symbol of life and love and devotion, of beauty and eternity” when he signed it into law in 1986. George Washington himself bred roses — and the Mary Washington Rose, named […]

20 days ago

Road trip ready: How Bear Lake became the go-to destination for Western U.S. travelers

Whether you are chasing pristine beaches, fresh raspberry shakes, or endless water sports, this sponsored guide—brought to you in partnership with Bear Lake —uncovers everything you need to plan the ultimate getaway. There’s nothing quite like the thrill of hopping in the car with your favorite snacks in tow and heading out for a […]

Harper Clinic

A new standard of care: How Harper Clinic’s IOP is changing the face of mental health treatment in Utah

This article is sponsored by Harper Clinic, a Utah-based clinic offering FDA-approved TMS therapy for treatment-resistant depression. Utah’s mental health crisis is leaving many residents caught in an uncomfortable middle ground: struggling too much for weekly therapy alone, but unable to step away from work, parenting or daily life for inpatient treatment. As demand […]

Harper Clinic

Breaking free from depression: How Harper Clinic’s TMS Therapy can help

This article is sponsored by Harper Clinic, a Utah-based clinic offering FDA-approved TMS therapy for treatment-resistant depression. The weight of depression is real. Many people spend years fighting it, adjusting medications, managing side effects and wondering if this is simply how life is going to feel. According to the World Health Organization, depression affects […]

Andrew Adams, KSL

Library discussions bring men’s mental health to the surface

Therapists say it’s common for men to repress things like trauma, grief, stress and anxiety. Now, a new weekly series of discussions aims to help men bring it all to the surface.

Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau

Cozy up in Bear Lake: Discover the magic of a winter getaway

SALT LAKE CITY – The holiday season shines brightest when time slows down and loved ones gather. Gifts, decorations and festive music come and go, but shared experiences tend to last much longer. Research supports that idea. Dr. Theresa E. DiDonato told Psychology Today that vacations can strengthen relationships by creating meaningful time away from daily […]

Harper Clinic

Rewriting the path to healing: Inside Harper Clinic’s whole-person mental health model

OREM — A few decades ago, you’d have had a hard time finding a doctor to treat both your mind and body; And a century ago, you’d have been hard-pressed to find a doctor to treat your mind at all. Today, medical professionals are understanding more and more the undeniable connection between the body and […]

Video: ‘Ghost students’ cost Utah’s higher education system over $840K last year

We want to hear from you.

Video

Sponsored Articles