FAC Explorer

Audit 300562

FY End
2023-06-30
Total Expended
$6.71M
Findings
6
Programs
6
Organization: Boston Architectural College (MA)
Year: 2023 Accepted: 2024-03-29
Auditor: Bonadio & CO LLP

Organization Exclusion Status:

Findings

ID Ref Severity Repeat Requirement
389658 2023-003 Significant Deficiency - L
389659 2023-004 Significant Deficiency Yes N
389660 2023-004 Significant Deficiency Yes N
966100 2023-003 Significant Deficiency - L
966101 2023-004 Significant Deficiency Yes N
966102 2023-004 Significant Deficiency Yes N

Programs

ALN Program Spent Major Findings
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $6.03M Yes 1
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $284,844 Yes 2
97.036 Disaster Grants - Public Assistance (presidentially Declared Disasters) $190,310 - 0
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants $106,232 Yes 0
19.501 Public Diplomacy Programs for Afghanistan and Pakistan $83,102 - 0
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $18,595 Yes 0

Contacts

Name Title Type
JC27NEEZ7SK2 William Judge Auditee
6175850100 Joseph Peplin 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, wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowable or are limited as to reimbursement. 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) summarizes the expenditures of Boston Architectural College (the College) under programs of the federal government for the year ended June 30, 2023 and has been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The information in this schedule is presented 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, change in net assets, or cash flows of the College. For the purposes of the schedule, federal awards include all grants, contracts, and similar agreements entered into directly between the College and agencies and departments of the federal government, as well as federal awards passed through other agencies. Student financial aid includes certain awards to provide financial assistance to students, primarily under the Federal Work-Study, Pell Grant and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant programs of the Department of Education. The College receives awards to make loans to eligible students under certain federal student loan programs and federally guaranteed loans are issued to students of the College by the federal government. These loans are considered for the purposes of determining whether student financial aid is a major or nonmajor program.

Finding Details

Finding 2023-003
Condition - During the 2023 audit, it was noted that for one out of five students selected for testing, the student’s change in enrollment status was not uploaded within the required timeframe. Criteria - The federal government requires the College to report student enrollment changes to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) within 60 days. Cause - Human error resulted in a lack of timely reporting of the students change in enrollment status to NSLDS. Effect - The College did not report students status changes to NSLDS within the required timeframe which could impact the students loan grace periods. Recommendation - The College should provide training to employees responsible for processing information for the NSLDS to ensure that they have adequate knowledge of the related rules and regulations. This training should include an explanation of the College’s date of determination, the importance of timely reporting, and the consequences of late reporting. Additionally, submission of additional rosters and a more formalized review and approval process will reduce the likelihood of such findings in the future. Views of Responsible Officials- The Boston Architectural College recognizes the importance of complying with all federal requirements. In this case out of the sample of 40 students one student was reported late to NSLDS. This late reporting was due to human error in processing the status change internally late and therefore missing the next automated upload to NSLDS. Training will be provided to new employees and periodically to ensure reporting is timely. Measures will be put in place to ensure all changes are processed timely, including updating the automatic reporting to capture all potential changes.
Finding 2023-004
Condition - During the 2023 audit, it was noted that for one of forty students selected, the student’s disbursement information was not uploaded within the required timeframe. Criteria - The federal government requires the College to report student disbursement information to the U.S. Department of Education’s Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) website. Institutions must report student disbursement data within 15 calendar days after the institution makes a disbursement or becomes aware of the need to make an adjustment to previously reported student disbursement data or expected student disbursement data. Institutions may do this by reporting once every 15 calendar days, bi-weekly or weekly, or may set up their own system to ensure that changes are reported in a timely manner. Cause - Human error resulted in a lack of timely reporting of the students disbursement information to COD. Effect - The College did not report students status changes to COD within the required timeframe which could impact the Colleges draw down of PELL funds. Recommendation - The College should provide training to employees responsible for processing information for the COD to ensure that they have adequate knowledge of the related rules and regulations. This training should include the importance of timely reporting and the consequences of late reporting. Additionally, a more formalized review and approval process will reduce the likelihood of such findings in the future. Views of Responsible Officials- The one student found with a disbursement reported late to COD was the result of a correction which was posted past the deadline. This was the result of staff turnover in the Financial Aid Office and the use of temporary employees as we began the job search for permanent replacements. Training will be provided going forward to all new employees including, temporary employees.
Finding 2023-004
Condition - During the 2023 audit, it was noted that for one of forty students selected, the student’s disbursement information was not uploaded within the required timeframe. Criteria - The federal government requires the College to report student disbursement information to the U.S. Department of Education’s Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) website. Institutions must report student disbursement data within 15 calendar days after the institution makes a disbursement or becomes aware of the need to make an adjustment to previously reported student disbursement data or expected student disbursement data. Institutions may do this by reporting once every 15 calendar days, bi-weekly or weekly, or may set up their own system to ensure that changes are reported in a timely manner. Cause - Human error resulted in a lack of timely reporting of the students disbursement information to COD. Effect - The College did not report students status changes to COD within the required timeframe which could impact the Colleges draw down of PELL funds. Recommendation - The College should provide training to employees responsible for processing information for the COD to ensure that they have adequate knowledge of the related rules and regulations. This training should include the importance of timely reporting and the consequences of late reporting. Additionally, a more formalized review and approval process will reduce the likelihood of such findings in the future. Views of Responsible Officials- The one student found with a disbursement reported late to COD was the result of a correction which was posted past the deadline. This was the result of staff turnover in the Financial Aid Office and the use of temporary employees as we began the job search for permanent replacements. Training will be provided going forward to all new employees including, temporary employees.
Finding 2023-003
Condition - During the 2023 audit, it was noted that for one out of five students selected for testing, the student’s change in enrollment status was not uploaded within the required timeframe. Criteria - The federal government requires the College to report student enrollment changes to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) within 60 days. Cause - Human error resulted in a lack of timely reporting of the students change in enrollment status to NSLDS. Effect - The College did not report students status changes to NSLDS within the required timeframe which could impact the students loan grace periods. Recommendation - The College should provide training to employees responsible for processing information for the NSLDS to ensure that they have adequate knowledge of the related rules and regulations. This training should include an explanation of the College’s date of determination, the importance of timely reporting, and the consequences of late reporting. Additionally, submission of additional rosters and a more formalized review and approval process will reduce the likelihood of such findings in the future. Views of Responsible Officials- The Boston Architectural College recognizes the importance of complying with all federal requirements. In this case out of the sample of 40 students one student was reported late to NSLDS. This late reporting was due to human error in processing the status change internally late and therefore missing the next automated upload to NSLDS. Training will be provided to new employees and periodically to ensure reporting is timely. Measures will be put in place to ensure all changes are processed timely, including updating the automatic reporting to capture all potential changes.
Finding 2023-004
Condition - During the 2023 audit, it was noted that for one of forty students selected, the student’s disbursement information was not uploaded within the required timeframe. Criteria - The federal government requires the College to report student disbursement information to the U.S. Department of Education’s Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) website. Institutions must report student disbursement data within 15 calendar days after the institution makes a disbursement or becomes aware of the need to make an adjustment to previously reported student disbursement data or expected student disbursement data. Institutions may do this by reporting once every 15 calendar days, bi-weekly or weekly, or may set up their own system to ensure that changes are reported in a timely manner. Cause - Human error resulted in a lack of timely reporting of the students disbursement information to COD. Effect - The College did not report students status changes to COD within the required timeframe which could impact the Colleges draw down of PELL funds. Recommendation - The College should provide training to employees responsible for processing information for the COD to ensure that they have adequate knowledge of the related rules and regulations. This training should include the importance of timely reporting and the consequences of late reporting. Additionally, a more formalized review and approval process will reduce the likelihood of such findings in the future. Views of Responsible Officials- The one student found with a disbursement reported late to COD was the result of a correction which was posted past the deadline. This was the result of staff turnover in the Financial Aid Office and the use of temporary employees as we began the job search for permanent replacements. Training will be provided going forward to all new employees including, temporary employees.
Finding 2023-004
Condition - During the 2023 audit, it was noted that for one of forty students selected, the student’s disbursement information was not uploaded within the required timeframe. Criteria - The federal government requires the College to report student disbursement information to the U.S. Department of Education’s Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) website. Institutions must report student disbursement data within 15 calendar days after the institution makes a disbursement or becomes aware of the need to make an adjustment to previously reported student disbursement data or expected student disbursement data. Institutions may do this by reporting once every 15 calendar days, bi-weekly or weekly, or may set up their own system to ensure that changes are reported in a timely manner. Cause - Human error resulted in a lack of timely reporting of the students disbursement information to COD. Effect - The College did not report students status changes to COD within the required timeframe which could impact the Colleges draw down of PELL funds. Recommendation - The College should provide training to employees responsible for processing information for the COD to ensure that they have adequate knowledge of the related rules and regulations. This training should include the importance of timely reporting and the consequences of late reporting. Additionally, a more formalized review and approval process will reduce the likelihood of such findings in the future. Views of Responsible Officials- The one student found with a disbursement reported late to COD was the result of a correction which was posted past the deadline. This was the result of staff turnover in the Financial Aid Office and the use of temporary employees as we began the job search for permanent replacements. Training will be provided going forward to all new employees including, temporary employees.