You should use the OIG Hotline to report violations of Federal laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to U.S. Department of Education (ED) programs and funding, including complaints involving ED employees, recipients of ED funds, schools, school officials, other educational institutions, contractors, lending institutions, collections agencies, or public officials. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Embezzlement, bribery, or other public corruption involving ED funds
- Serious mismanagement involving ED programs or funds
- Theft or misuse of Federal student aid
- Knowledge of fraud, waste, or abuse involving a financial aid administrator or other school officials
- Knowledge of fraud, waste, or abuse involving a student loan servicer or collection agency
- Knowledge that your school is not complying with regulations or laws involving Federal student aid or other ED program or operation
- Whistleblower reprisal (if you are an ED employee, also report reprisal to the Office of Special Counsel)
- Conflicts of interest
- Contract and procurement irregularities
- Theft or abuse of government property
- Employee misconduct
- Ethics violations by ED officials
What Shouldn't I Report to the OIG Hotline?
The OIG only has jurisdiction to investigate matters involving ED programs, operations, and funding, so if your concern does not involve fraud, waste, theft, mismanagement, public corruption, or abuse involving ED programs, operations, or funds, you may need to contact another ED office or Federal or State agency for assistance. Not sure whether your concern is an ED matter or where to go next? Take our questionnaire to help get your concern to the right place!