It would be easy to think that the only problem that artificial intelligence (AI) would create for community colleges would be students using large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT to complete their assignments. However, the past few years have seen the rise of AI as a means of defrauding community colleges of financial aid designed to help legitimate students with their college expenses. Individual fraudsters, as well as sophisticated cybercriminal organizations, are employing AI as a means of directing automated computer programs, also known as bots, to enroll in and participate in community college courses long enough to receive financial aid disbursements. These bots, also known as “ghost students” or “Pell runners” are frustrating community colleges, who are now tasked with weeding out fake accounts, as well as legitimate students who are often unable to register for preferred classes or qualify for financial aid, due to being crowded out by fraudulent registrants.