§72.1.  Use of forged academic records

A.  A "forged academic record" shall mean a transcript, diploma, grade report, or similar document which is presented as being a bona fide record of an institution of secondary or higher education, but which is, in fact, false, forged, altered, or counterfeit.  

B.  "Use of a forged academic record" shall mean the knowing and intentional offering, presentation, or other use of a forged academic record to a public or private institution of higher education in the state for the purpose of seeking admission to that institution, or one of its colleges or other academic branches, or for the purposes of securing a scholarship or other form of financial assistance from the institution itself or from other public or private sources of financial assistance for educational purposes including, without limitation, loans, grants, fellowships, assistantships, or other forms of financial aid.  

C.  Whoever commits the crime of the use of forged academic records may be fined not in excess of five thousand dollars or imprisoned for not in excess of six months, or both.  

Acts 1989, No. 681, §1.