Audit 296776

FY End
2023-06-30
Total Expended
$14.44M
Findings
4
Programs
7
Year: 2023 Accepted: 2024-03-22

Organization Exclusion Status:

Checking exclusion status...

Findings

ID Ref Severity Repeat Requirement
383753 2023-001 Significant Deficiency - N
383754 2023-001 Significant Deficiency - N
960195 2023-001 Significant Deficiency - N
960196 2023-001 Significant Deficiency - N

Programs

ALN Program Spent Major Findings
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $10.46M Yes 1
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $2.58M Yes 1
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $740,493 - 0
84.038 Federal Perkins Loan Program (beginning of Year) $447,134 Yes 0
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants $110,737 Yes 0
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $74,882 Yes 0
47.876 Education and Human Resources $31,027 - 0

Contacts

Name Title Type
MR5NL7AJUGB4 Gina Spaziani Auditee
6178797899 David Diiulis Auditor
No contacts on file

Notes to SEFA

Title: Basis of Presentation Accounting Policies: Expenditures reported on the Schedule are reported on the accrual basis of accounting. Such expenditures are recognized following the cost principles contained in the Uniform Guidance. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: The College has elected not to use the 10% de minimis indirect cost rate as allowed under the Uniform Guidance. The accompanying Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (the "Schedule") includes the federal award activity of Massachusetts College of Art and Design (the "College") under programs of the federal government for the year ended June 30, 2023. The information on thie Schedule is prepared in accordance with the requirements of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (:Uniform Guidance"). Because the Schedule presents only a selected portion of the operations of the College, it is not intended to and does not present the financial position, changes in net position or cash flows of the College.
Title: Perkins Loan Program Accounting Policies: Expenditures reported on the Schedule are reported on the accrual basis of accounting. Such expenditures are recognized following the cost principles contained in the Uniform Guidance. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: The College has elected not to use the 10% de minimis indirect cost rate as allowed under the Uniform Guidance. The Federal Perkins Loan Program ("Perkins") is administered directly by the College and balances and transactions relating to this program are included in the College's basic financial statements. During the year ended June 30, 2023, $0 of loans were advanced under the Perkins program and $0 of administrative costs were incurred. As of June 30, 2023, loan balance receivable under Perkins was $116,187.
Title: Direct Student Loan Program Accounting Policies: Expenditures reported on the Schedule are reported on the accrual basis of accounting. Such expenditures are recognized following the cost principles contained in the Uniform Guidance. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: The College has elected not to use the 10% de minimis indirect cost rate as allowed under the Uniform Guidance. The College disbursed $10,457,570 of loans under the Federal Direct Student Loans program, which include Stafford Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans and Parent Plus Loans. It is not practical to determine the balances of the loans outstanding to students of the College under the program as of June 30, 2023. The College is only responsible for the performance of certain administrative duties and, accordingly, these loans are not inlcuded in the College's financial statements.

Finding Details

Criteria According to 34 CFR 668.22(j)(1): Timeframe for the Return of Title IV funds. An institution must return the amount of Title IV funds for which it is responsible under paragraph (g) of this section as soon as possible but no later than 45 days after the date of the institution's determination that the student withdrew as defined in paragraph (l)(3) of this section. According to 34 CFR 668.173(b): Timely Return of Title IV, HEA program funds. In accordance with procedures established by the Secretary or Federal Family Education Loan (“FFEL”) program lender, an institution returns unearned Title IV, HEA program funds timely if – (1) The institution deposits or transfers the funds into the bank account it maintains under 34 CFR Sections 668.163 no later than 45 days after the date it determines the student withdrew; (2) The institution initiates an electronic funds transfer no later than 45 days after the date it determines that the student withdrew; (3) The institution initiates an electronic transaction no later than 45 days after the date it determines that the student withdrew, that informs a FFEL lender to adjust the borrower’s loan account for the amount returned; or (4) The institution issues a check no later than 45 days after the date it determines that the student withdrew. An institution does not satisfy this requirement if – (i) The institution’s records show that the check was issued more than 45 days after the date the institution determined the student withdrew; or (ii) The date on the cancelled check shows that the bank used by the Secretary or FFEL Program lender endorsed that check more than 60 days after the date the institution determined that the student withdrew. Condition Federal regulations state that any unearned Title IV grant or loan assistance received by a student must be refunded to the Title IV programs upon a student’s withdrawal from the institution. The College has 45 days from the date they determined the student withdrew to return any unearned portions of Title IV funds. During our testing, we noted 1 student, out of a sample of 5, had unearned Title IV aid that was not returned to the Federal Government, within 45 days of the determined withdrawal date, by 250 days.   Cause The College did not consistently follow the procedures in place to monitor student withdrawals related to Title IV funds that must be returned to the Department of Education within 45 days due to human error. Effect The College did not return unearned Title IV funds within the required 45-day time frame. Questioned Costs Not applicable. Perspective Our sample was not, and was not intended to be, statistically valid. Of the 5 students selected for testing, 1 student, or 20% of our sample, had unearned Title IV funds that were not returned to the Department of Education within the 45-day required time frame. Identification as a Repeat Finding, if applicable Not applicable. Recommendation The College should strengthen their controls surrounding the review Return of Title IV calculations in a timely manner to ensure that all funds are returned to the Department of Education within the required time frame. View of Responsible Officials The College agrees with the finding.
Criteria According to 34 CFR 668.22(j)(1): Timeframe for the Return of Title IV funds. An institution must return the amount of Title IV funds for which it is responsible under paragraph (g) of this section as soon as possible but no later than 45 days after the date of the institution's determination that the student withdrew as defined in paragraph (l)(3) of this section. According to 34 CFR 668.173(b): Timely Return of Title IV, HEA program funds. In accordance with procedures established by the Secretary or Federal Family Education Loan (“FFEL”) program lender, an institution returns unearned Title IV, HEA program funds timely if – (1) The institution deposits or transfers the funds into the bank account it maintains under 34 CFR Sections 668.163 no later than 45 days after the date it determines the student withdrew; (2) The institution initiates an electronic funds transfer no later than 45 days after the date it determines that the student withdrew; (3) The institution initiates an electronic transaction no later than 45 days after the date it determines that the student withdrew, that informs a FFEL lender to adjust the borrower’s loan account for the amount returned; or (4) The institution issues a check no later than 45 days after the date it determines that the student withdrew. An institution does not satisfy this requirement if – (i) The institution’s records show that the check was issued more than 45 days after the date the institution determined the student withdrew; or (ii) The date on the cancelled check shows that the bank used by the Secretary or FFEL Program lender endorsed that check more than 60 days after the date the institution determined that the student withdrew. Condition Federal regulations state that any unearned Title IV grant or loan assistance received by a student must be refunded to the Title IV programs upon a student’s withdrawal from the institution. The College has 45 days from the date they determined the student withdrew to return any unearned portions of Title IV funds. During our testing, we noted 1 student, out of a sample of 5, had unearned Title IV aid that was not returned to the Federal Government, within 45 days of the determined withdrawal date, by 250 days.   Cause The College did not consistently follow the procedures in place to monitor student withdrawals related to Title IV funds that must be returned to the Department of Education within 45 days due to human error. Effect The College did not return unearned Title IV funds within the required 45-day time frame. Questioned Costs Not applicable. Perspective Our sample was not, and was not intended to be, statistically valid. Of the 5 students selected for testing, 1 student, or 20% of our sample, had unearned Title IV funds that were not returned to the Department of Education within the 45-day required time frame. Identification as a Repeat Finding, if applicable Not applicable. Recommendation The College should strengthen their controls surrounding the review Return of Title IV calculations in a timely manner to ensure that all funds are returned to the Department of Education within the required time frame. View of Responsible Officials The College agrees with the finding.
Criteria According to 34 CFR 668.22(j)(1): Timeframe for the Return of Title IV funds. An institution must return the amount of Title IV funds for which it is responsible under paragraph (g) of this section as soon as possible but no later than 45 days after the date of the institution's determination that the student withdrew as defined in paragraph (l)(3) of this section. According to 34 CFR 668.173(b): Timely Return of Title IV, HEA program funds. In accordance with procedures established by the Secretary or Federal Family Education Loan (“FFEL”) program lender, an institution returns unearned Title IV, HEA program funds timely if – (1) The institution deposits or transfers the funds into the bank account it maintains under 34 CFR Sections 668.163 no later than 45 days after the date it determines the student withdrew; (2) The institution initiates an electronic funds transfer no later than 45 days after the date it determines that the student withdrew; (3) The institution initiates an electronic transaction no later than 45 days after the date it determines that the student withdrew, that informs a FFEL lender to adjust the borrower’s loan account for the amount returned; or (4) The institution issues a check no later than 45 days after the date it determines that the student withdrew. An institution does not satisfy this requirement if – (i) The institution’s records show that the check was issued more than 45 days after the date the institution determined the student withdrew; or (ii) The date on the cancelled check shows that the bank used by the Secretary or FFEL Program lender endorsed that check more than 60 days after the date the institution determined that the student withdrew. Condition Federal regulations state that any unearned Title IV grant or loan assistance received by a student must be refunded to the Title IV programs upon a student’s withdrawal from the institution. The College has 45 days from the date they determined the student withdrew to return any unearned portions of Title IV funds. During our testing, we noted 1 student, out of a sample of 5, had unearned Title IV aid that was not returned to the Federal Government, within 45 days of the determined withdrawal date, by 250 days.   Cause The College did not consistently follow the procedures in place to monitor student withdrawals related to Title IV funds that must be returned to the Department of Education within 45 days due to human error. Effect The College did not return unearned Title IV funds within the required 45-day time frame. Questioned Costs Not applicable. Perspective Our sample was not, and was not intended to be, statistically valid. Of the 5 students selected for testing, 1 student, or 20% of our sample, had unearned Title IV funds that were not returned to the Department of Education within the 45-day required time frame. Identification as a Repeat Finding, if applicable Not applicable. Recommendation The College should strengthen their controls surrounding the review Return of Title IV calculations in a timely manner to ensure that all funds are returned to the Department of Education within the required time frame. View of Responsible Officials The College agrees with the finding.
Criteria According to 34 CFR 668.22(j)(1): Timeframe for the Return of Title IV funds. An institution must return the amount of Title IV funds for which it is responsible under paragraph (g) of this section as soon as possible but no later than 45 days after the date of the institution's determination that the student withdrew as defined in paragraph (l)(3) of this section. According to 34 CFR 668.173(b): Timely Return of Title IV, HEA program funds. In accordance with procedures established by the Secretary or Federal Family Education Loan (“FFEL”) program lender, an institution returns unearned Title IV, HEA program funds timely if – (1) The institution deposits or transfers the funds into the bank account it maintains under 34 CFR Sections 668.163 no later than 45 days after the date it determines the student withdrew; (2) The institution initiates an electronic funds transfer no later than 45 days after the date it determines that the student withdrew; (3) The institution initiates an electronic transaction no later than 45 days after the date it determines that the student withdrew, that informs a FFEL lender to adjust the borrower’s loan account for the amount returned; or (4) The institution issues a check no later than 45 days after the date it determines that the student withdrew. An institution does not satisfy this requirement if – (i) The institution’s records show that the check was issued more than 45 days after the date the institution determined the student withdrew; or (ii) The date on the cancelled check shows that the bank used by the Secretary or FFEL Program lender endorsed that check more than 60 days after the date the institution determined that the student withdrew. Condition Federal regulations state that any unearned Title IV grant or loan assistance received by a student must be refunded to the Title IV programs upon a student’s withdrawal from the institution. The College has 45 days from the date they determined the student withdrew to return any unearned portions of Title IV funds. During our testing, we noted 1 student, out of a sample of 5, had unearned Title IV aid that was not returned to the Federal Government, within 45 days of the determined withdrawal date, by 250 days.   Cause The College did not consistently follow the procedures in place to monitor student withdrawals related to Title IV funds that must be returned to the Department of Education within 45 days due to human error. Effect The College did not return unearned Title IV funds within the required 45-day time frame. Questioned Costs Not applicable. Perspective Our sample was not, and was not intended to be, statistically valid. Of the 5 students selected for testing, 1 student, or 20% of our sample, had unearned Title IV funds that were not returned to the Department of Education within the 45-day required time frame. Identification as a Repeat Finding, if applicable Not applicable. Recommendation The College should strengthen their controls surrounding the review Return of Title IV calculations in a timely manner to ensure that all funds are returned to the Department of Education within the required time frame. View of Responsible Officials The College agrees with the finding.