DETROIT – Michelle Denise Hill, 48, of Detroit, pleaded guilty to wire fraud in connection with a decade-long scheme to fraudulently obtain more than $2.5 million in federal student aid funds.
Court documents revealed that no later than July 2015 and continuing through at least July 2025, Hill devised and executed a scheme to fraudulently obtain Federal Student Aid, specifically Federal Pell Grants and Federal Direct Student Loans from the United States Department of Education.
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It was revealed that Hill submitted fraudulent aid applications for more than 80 individuals who were purportedly eligible students seeking to attend Wayne County Community College in Detroit.
Court documents revealed that the individuals involved had no interest in pursuing a degree.
The 48-year-old woman obtained the necessary high school diplomas on her own behalf, with many from the same Florida online, “fast-track” school, and completed their WCCC online coursework from them, often simultaneously, to create the appearance of academic progress and extend their eligibility for aid across multiple semesters.
Court documents revealed that Hill generally split the proceeds of the fraudulently obtained aid with the purported students.
Under the scheme, Hill caused more than $3 million in federal student aid benefits to be awarded, with approximately $2,530,854 actually disbursed for fraudulent claims.
Hill has agreed to pay $2,530,854 in restitution to the Department of Education.
She pleaded guilty on Monday (March 23).
Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 3, 2026, where Hill faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.