2024‐001 Significant Deficiency: Return to Title IV Funds (U.S. Department of Education, William D. Ford Direct Loan Program, ALN #84.268; Federal Pell Grant Program, ALN #84.063; and Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grant Program, ALN #84.007)
Criteria: In accordance with 34 CFR 668.22(f), in the calculation of the percentage of payment period and/or period of enrollment completed, the total number of calendar days in a payment and/or enrollment period includes all days within the period, except that institutionally scheduled breaks of at least 5 consecutive calendar days and days in which the student was on an approved leave of absence are excluded from the total number of calendar days in a payment period and/or period of enrollment.
Statement of Condition: During the audit, it was noted that the University used the incorrect number of completed days in the payment period or period of enrollment in calculating the percentage of aid earned of withdrawn students. This issue appears to be isolated to Return to Title IV Funds forms completed for students enrolled and withdrawn during the Spring semester, specifically related to miscalculation involving spring break. For certain students, this causes a variance in the percentage of completion as completing over 60% of the term and having earned all awarded aid versus completing under 60% of the term and requiring a partial return of aid.
Questioned Costs: The known monetary error is an over-award of $1,029. Extrapolation of the error across all students who may have been affected estimates total possible monetary error of $9,089. Therefore, the monetary impact of this deficiency does not exceed the reporting threshold of $25,000.
Perspective Information: The audit included a detailed testing of 13 files for students who withdrew during the spring term, of which this miscalculation applies to 6; of these, 1 student crossed the 60% completion threshold with the correction and should have had aid returned. Based upon withdrawal dates of the full listing of students who withdrew during the Spring, 4 additional students could have been affected similarly with this miscalculation. Therefore, we consider the error rate as 5 out of the 31 total students who withdrew in the Spring, which is 16.13%.
Cause and Effect: For noted withdrawal calculations, the completed day count was not performed per the instructions described in the handbook. Completed day count for the identified students was not reduced by the period related to spring break, which should have reduced the completed day count by nine days. This results in a miscalculation of percentage of Title IV aid earned and could result in monetary error.
Recommendation: The University should ensure that the completed number of calendar days in the payment period or period of enrollment is counted correctly utilizing the guidance provided by the Compliance Supplement and the Student Financial Aid Handbook, accounting for scheduled breaks appropriately.
View of Responsible Officials: We agree with this finding. After review of this student’s Return to Title IV calculation, it was determined that upon beginning the calculation in the PowerFAIDS system, the Refresh button was not used which would have recalculated the completed days to include the 9-day Spring Break. After reviewing this procedure with PowerFAIDS, it was recommended that we also enter the withdrawal date on the R2T4 tab of the POE screen which forces the system to recalculate the completed days prior to beginning the R2T4 calculation. We have added this step to our Return to Title IV procedures. The corrected Return to Title IV calculation was completed, which resulted in an Unsubsidized loan return of $1,029. The loan funds were returned via the Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) system.
2024‐001 Significant Deficiency: Return to Title IV Funds (U.S. Department of Education, William D. Ford Direct Loan Program, ALN #84.268; Federal Pell Grant Program, ALN #84.063; and Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grant Program, ALN #84.007)
Criteria: In accordance with 34 CFR 668.22(f), in the calculation of the percentage of payment period and/or period of enrollment completed, the total number of calendar days in a payment and/or enrollment period includes all days within the period, except that institutionally scheduled breaks of at least 5 consecutive calendar days and days in which the student was on an approved leave of absence are excluded from the total number of calendar days in a payment period and/or period of enrollment.
Statement of Condition: During the audit, it was noted that the University used the incorrect number of completed days in the payment period or period of enrollment in calculating the percentage of aid earned of withdrawn students. This issue appears to be isolated to Return to Title IV Funds forms completed for students enrolled and withdrawn during the Spring semester, specifically related to miscalculation involving spring break. For certain students, this causes a variance in the percentage of completion as completing over 60% of the term and having earned all awarded aid versus completing under 60% of the term and requiring a partial return of aid.
Questioned Costs: The known monetary error is an over-award of $1,029. Extrapolation of the error across all students who may have been affected estimates total possible monetary error of $9,089. Therefore, the monetary impact of this deficiency does not exceed the reporting threshold of $25,000.
Perspective Information: The audit included a detailed testing of 13 files for students who withdrew during the spring term, of which this miscalculation applies to 6; of these, 1 student crossed the 60% completion threshold with the correction and should have had aid returned. Based upon withdrawal dates of the full listing of students who withdrew during the Spring, 4 additional students could have been affected similarly with this miscalculation. Therefore, we consider the error rate as 5 out of the 31 total students who withdrew in the Spring, which is 16.13%.
Cause and Effect: For noted withdrawal calculations, the completed day count was not performed per the instructions described in the handbook. Completed day count for the identified students was not reduced by the period related to spring break, which should have reduced the completed day count by nine days. This results in a miscalculation of percentage of Title IV aid earned and could result in monetary error.
Recommendation: The University should ensure that the completed number of calendar days in the payment period or period of enrollment is counted correctly utilizing the guidance provided by the Compliance Supplement and the Student Financial Aid Handbook, accounting for scheduled breaks appropriately.
View of Responsible Officials: We agree with this finding. After review of this student’s Return to Title IV calculation, it was determined that upon beginning the calculation in the PowerFAIDS system, the Refresh button was not used which would have recalculated the completed days to include the 9-day Spring Break. After reviewing this procedure with PowerFAIDS, it was recommended that we also enter the withdrawal date on the R2T4 tab of the POE screen which forces the system to recalculate the completed days prior to beginning the R2T4 calculation. We have added this step to our Return to Title IV procedures. The corrected Return to Title IV calculation was completed, which resulted in an Unsubsidized loan return of $1,029. The loan funds were returned via the Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) system.
2024‐001 Significant Deficiency: Return to Title IV Funds (U.S. Department of Education, William D. Ford Direct Loan Program, ALN #84.268; Federal Pell Grant Program, ALN #84.063; and Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grant Program, ALN #84.007)
Criteria: In accordance with 34 CFR 668.22(f), in the calculation of the percentage of payment period and/or period of enrollment completed, the total number of calendar days in a payment and/or enrollment period includes all days within the period, except that institutionally scheduled breaks of at least 5 consecutive calendar days and days in which the student was on an approved leave of absence are excluded from the total number of calendar days in a payment period and/or period of enrollment.
Statement of Condition: During the audit, it was noted that the University used the incorrect number of completed days in the payment period or period of enrollment in calculating the percentage of aid earned of withdrawn students. This issue appears to be isolated to Return to Title IV Funds forms completed for students enrolled and withdrawn during the Spring semester, specifically related to miscalculation involving spring break. For certain students, this causes a variance in the percentage of completion as completing over 60% of the term and having earned all awarded aid versus completing under 60% of the term and requiring a partial return of aid.
Questioned Costs: The known monetary error is an over-award of $1,029. Extrapolation of the error across all students who may have been affected estimates total possible monetary error of $9,089. Therefore, the monetary impact of this deficiency does not exceed the reporting threshold of $25,000.
Perspective Information: The audit included a detailed testing of 13 files for students who withdrew during the spring term, of which this miscalculation applies to 6; of these, 1 student crossed the 60% completion threshold with the correction and should have had aid returned. Based upon withdrawal dates of the full listing of students who withdrew during the Spring, 4 additional students could have been affected similarly with this miscalculation. Therefore, we consider the error rate as 5 out of the 31 total students who withdrew in the Spring, which is 16.13%.
Cause and Effect: For noted withdrawal calculations, the completed day count was not performed per the instructions described in the handbook. Completed day count for the identified students was not reduced by the period related to spring break, which should have reduced the completed day count by nine days. This results in a miscalculation of percentage of Title IV aid earned and could result in monetary error.
Recommendation: The University should ensure that the completed number of calendar days in the payment period or period of enrollment is counted correctly utilizing the guidance provided by the Compliance Supplement and the Student Financial Aid Handbook, accounting for scheduled breaks appropriately.
View of Responsible Officials: We agree with this finding. After review of this student’s Return to Title IV calculation, it was determined that upon beginning the calculation in the PowerFAIDS system, the Refresh button was not used which would have recalculated the completed days to include the 9-day Spring Break. After reviewing this procedure with PowerFAIDS, it was recommended that we also enter the withdrawal date on the R2T4 tab of the POE screen which forces the system to recalculate the completed days prior to beginning the R2T4 calculation. We have added this step to our Return to Title IV procedures. The corrected Return to Title IV calculation was completed, which resulted in an Unsubsidized loan return of $1,029. The loan funds were returned via the Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) system.
2024‐001 Significant Deficiency: Return to Title IV Funds (U.S. Department of Education, William D. Ford Direct Loan Program, ALN #84.268; Federal Pell Grant Program, ALN #84.063; and Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grant Program, ALN #84.007)
Criteria: In accordance with 34 CFR 668.22(f), in the calculation of the percentage of payment period and/or period of enrollment completed, the total number of calendar days in a payment and/or enrollment period includes all days within the period, except that institutionally scheduled breaks of at least 5 consecutive calendar days and days in which the student was on an approved leave of absence are excluded from the total number of calendar days in a payment period and/or period of enrollment.
Statement of Condition: During the audit, it was noted that the University used the incorrect number of completed days in the payment period or period of enrollment in calculating the percentage of aid earned of withdrawn students. This issue appears to be isolated to Return to Title IV Funds forms completed for students enrolled and withdrawn during the Spring semester, specifically related to miscalculation involving spring break. For certain students, this causes a variance in the percentage of completion as completing over 60% of the term and having earned all awarded aid versus completing under 60% of the term and requiring a partial return of aid.
Questioned Costs: The known monetary error is an over-award of $1,029. Extrapolation of the error across all students who may have been affected estimates total possible monetary error of $9,089. Therefore, the monetary impact of this deficiency does not exceed the reporting threshold of $25,000.
Perspective Information: The audit included a detailed testing of 13 files for students who withdrew during the spring term, of which this miscalculation applies to 6; of these, 1 student crossed the 60% completion threshold with the correction and should have had aid returned. Based upon withdrawal dates of the full listing of students who withdrew during the Spring, 4 additional students could have been affected similarly with this miscalculation. Therefore, we consider the error rate as 5 out of the 31 total students who withdrew in the Spring, which is 16.13%.
Cause and Effect: For noted withdrawal calculations, the completed day count was not performed per the instructions described in the handbook. Completed day count for the identified students was not reduced by the period related to spring break, which should have reduced the completed day count by nine days. This results in a miscalculation of percentage of Title IV aid earned and could result in monetary error.
Recommendation: The University should ensure that the completed number of calendar days in the payment period or period of enrollment is counted correctly utilizing the guidance provided by the Compliance Supplement and the Student Financial Aid Handbook, accounting for scheduled breaks appropriately.
View of Responsible Officials: We agree with this finding. After review of this student’s Return to Title IV calculation, it was determined that upon beginning the calculation in the PowerFAIDS system, the Refresh button was not used which would have recalculated the completed days to include the 9-day Spring Break. After reviewing this procedure with PowerFAIDS, it was recommended that we also enter the withdrawal date on the R2T4 tab of the POE screen which forces the system to recalculate the completed days prior to beginning the R2T4 calculation. We have added this step to our Return to Title IV procedures. The corrected Return to Title IV calculation was completed, which resulted in an Unsubsidized loan return of $1,029. The loan funds were returned via the Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) system.
2024‐001 Significant Deficiency: Return to Title IV Funds (U.S. Department of Education, William D. Ford Direct Loan Program, ALN #84.268; Federal Pell Grant Program, ALN #84.063; and Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grant Program, ALN #84.007)
Criteria: In accordance with 34 CFR 668.22(f), in the calculation of the percentage of payment period and/or period of enrollment completed, the total number of calendar days in a payment and/or enrollment period includes all days within the period, except that institutionally scheduled breaks of at least 5 consecutive calendar days and days in which the student was on an approved leave of absence are excluded from the total number of calendar days in a payment period and/or period of enrollment.
Statement of Condition: During the audit, it was noted that the University used the incorrect number of completed days in the payment period or period of enrollment in calculating the percentage of aid earned of withdrawn students. This issue appears to be isolated to Return to Title IV Funds forms completed for students enrolled and withdrawn during the Spring semester, specifically related to miscalculation involving spring break. For certain students, this causes a variance in the percentage of completion as completing over 60% of the term and having earned all awarded aid versus completing under 60% of the term and requiring a partial return of aid.
Questioned Costs: The known monetary error is an over-award of $1,029. Extrapolation of the error across all students who may have been affected estimates total possible monetary error of $9,089. Therefore, the monetary impact of this deficiency does not exceed the reporting threshold of $25,000.
Perspective Information: The audit included a detailed testing of 13 files for students who withdrew during the spring term, of which this miscalculation applies to 6; of these, 1 student crossed the 60% completion threshold with the correction and should have had aid returned. Based upon withdrawal dates of the full listing of students who withdrew during the Spring, 4 additional students could have been affected similarly with this miscalculation. Therefore, we consider the error rate as 5 out of the 31 total students who withdrew in the Spring, which is 16.13%.
Cause and Effect: For noted withdrawal calculations, the completed day count was not performed per the instructions described in the handbook. Completed day count for the identified students was not reduced by the period related to spring break, which should have reduced the completed day count by nine days. This results in a miscalculation of percentage of Title IV aid earned and could result in monetary error.
Recommendation: The University should ensure that the completed number of calendar days in the payment period or period of enrollment is counted correctly utilizing the guidance provided by the Compliance Supplement and the Student Financial Aid Handbook, accounting for scheduled breaks appropriately.
View of Responsible Officials: We agree with this finding. After review of this student’s Return to Title IV calculation, it was determined that upon beginning the calculation in the PowerFAIDS system, the Refresh button was not used which would have recalculated the completed days to include the 9-day Spring Break. After reviewing this procedure with PowerFAIDS, it was recommended that we also enter the withdrawal date on the R2T4 tab of the POE screen which forces the system to recalculate the completed days prior to beginning the R2T4 calculation. We have added this step to our Return to Title IV procedures. The corrected Return to Title IV calculation was completed, which resulted in an Unsubsidized loan return of $1,029. The loan funds were returned via the Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) system.
2024‐001 Significant Deficiency: Return to Title IV Funds (U.S. Department of Education, William D. Ford Direct Loan Program, ALN #84.268; Federal Pell Grant Program, ALN #84.063; and Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grant Program, ALN #84.007)
Criteria: In accordance with 34 CFR 668.22(f), in the calculation of the percentage of payment period and/or period of enrollment completed, the total number of calendar days in a payment and/or enrollment period includes all days within the period, except that institutionally scheduled breaks of at least 5 consecutive calendar days and days in which the student was on an approved leave of absence are excluded from the total number of calendar days in a payment period and/or period of enrollment.
Statement of Condition: During the audit, it was noted that the University used the incorrect number of completed days in the payment period or period of enrollment in calculating the percentage of aid earned of withdrawn students. This issue appears to be isolated to Return to Title IV Funds forms completed for students enrolled and withdrawn during the Spring semester, specifically related to miscalculation involving spring break. For certain students, this causes a variance in the percentage of completion as completing over 60% of the term and having earned all awarded aid versus completing under 60% of the term and requiring a partial return of aid.
Questioned Costs: The known monetary error is an over-award of $1,029. Extrapolation of the error across all students who may have been affected estimates total possible monetary error of $9,089. Therefore, the monetary impact of this deficiency does not exceed the reporting threshold of $25,000.
Perspective Information: The audit included a detailed testing of 13 files for students who withdrew during the spring term, of which this miscalculation applies to 6; of these, 1 student crossed the 60% completion threshold with the correction and should have had aid returned. Based upon withdrawal dates of the full listing of students who withdrew during the Spring, 4 additional students could have been affected similarly with this miscalculation. Therefore, we consider the error rate as 5 out of the 31 total students who withdrew in the Spring, which is 16.13%.
Cause and Effect: For noted withdrawal calculations, the completed day count was not performed per the instructions described in the handbook. Completed day count for the identified students was not reduced by the period related to spring break, which should have reduced the completed day count by nine days. This results in a miscalculation of percentage of Title IV aid earned and could result in monetary error.
Recommendation: The University should ensure that the completed number of calendar days in the payment period or period of enrollment is counted correctly utilizing the guidance provided by the Compliance Supplement and the Student Financial Aid Handbook, accounting for scheduled breaks appropriately.
View of Responsible Officials: We agree with this finding. After review of this student’s Return to Title IV calculation, it was determined that upon beginning the calculation in the PowerFAIDS system, the Refresh button was not used which would have recalculated the completed days to include the 9-day Spring Break. After reviewing this procedure with PowerFAIDS, it was recommended that we also enter the withdrawal date on the R2T4 tab of the POE screen which forces the system to recalculate the completed days prior to beginning the R2T4 calculation. We have added this step to our Return to Title IV procedures. The corrected Return to Title IV calculation was completed, which resulted in an Unsubsidized loan return of $1,029. The loan funds were returned via the Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) system.