PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- Police said a Florida Atlantic University student posed as an elderly woman to save on tuition.

FAU police have filed criminal charges against former student Patricia Brandao. Police said she used the used the Social Security number of a 71-year-old woman.

Brandao graduated three years ago, but school officials discovered the alleged ID theft when Brandao requested that her Social Security number be changed on transcripts sent to two medical schools.

The Office of the Registrar at FAU said it couldn't recall another instance of someone stealing another's identity to receive in-state tuition status. This school year, claiming in-state residency can save a student $13,000 for 30 credit hours.

Brandao is charged with identity theft, forgery, misrepresentation of academic standing and scheming to defraud.

It was not immediately clear if the state attorney's office will pursue all of the charges.