Lead: Colleges face twin tech threats: enrollment and financial fraud tied to fake applicants, and repeated cyberattacks that exploit campus openness and decentralized IT. IT leaders warn “ghost students” and fraudulent financial‑aid claims surged during the pandemic and persist as scammers use AI to produce coursework and siphon aid. Meanwhile, recent ransomware and data‑breach incidents reveal universities’ resistance to tighter security protocols—often to preserve academic openness. Experts call for centralized identity checks, improved verification workflows, and stronger campus‑wide cybersecurity governance. Why it matters: Student application fraud and cyberattacks endanger financial aid integrity, student records, and research data. College CIOs and registrars must coordinate identity verification, fraud detection, and incident response plans while balancing academic access and research freedoms.