The US Department of Education audits the schools to make sure the schools are verifying properly and that the money the school is given to assist need-based financial aid is being apportioned properly. When a student (and parent if dependent) sign the FAFSA that is an agreement that no false information will be given knowingly. On the front page of the FAFSA it states: “WARNING: You must fill out this form accurately. The information that you supply can be verified by your college, your state, or by the U.S. Department of Education.
You may be asked to provide U.S. income tax returns, the worksheets in this booklet and other information. If you can’t or don’t provide these records to your college, you may not get Federal student aid. If you get Federal student aid based on incorrect information, you will have to pay it back; you may also have to pay fines and fees. If you purposely give false or misleading information on your application, you may be fined $20,000, sent to prison, or both.” You can read the financial fraud act here http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=106_cong_public_laws&docid=f:publ420.106