2 Detroiters Steal More Than $12M In Federal Student Aid In Separate Schemes: Feds

DETROIT — Two Detroit residents are facing charges after federal officials said they stole millions from student aid programs.

Brandon Robinson, 41, and Michelle Hill, 48, were each charged with wire fraud for their separate schemes.

Officials said Robinson led a years-long scheme to obtain fraudulent federal student aid benefits involving so-called "straw students" who were enrolled for the primary purpose of receiving money from the program.

Between January 2015 and February 2024, officials said Robinson submitted fraudulent FSA claims for more than 1,200 individuals at more than 100 schools in 24 states.

Through the scheme, more than $16 million in FSA benefits was awarded, with more than $10 million disbursed, officials said.

Additionally, officials said Robinson stole more than $1 million in unemployment funds through a scheme, in which he filed over 100 fraudulent insurance claims between April 2020 and March 2023.

Officials said Hill also stole federal student aid benefits through a 10-year scheme. Between July 2015 and July 2025. Officials said Hill fraudulently filed more than 80 claims, predominantly from students at Wayne County Community College.

Many of the claims were taken out on students who were enrolled in the same or similar degree programs and were taking the same or similar online courses, officials said.

Officials said that Hill often completed the coursework on the students’ behalf, to make it appear that the students were progressing toward degrees and prolonging their eligibility for FSA benefits.

Overall, officials said that Hill was fraudulently awarded more than $3 million in benefits, with more than $2.5 million disbursed.