Audit 339156

FY End
2024-06-30
Total Expended
$40.27M
Findings
4
Programs
20
Organization: Salem State University (MA)
Year: 2024 Accepted: 2025-01-21

Organization Exclusion Status:

Checking exclusion status...

Findings

ID Ref Severity Repeat Requirement
519860 2024-001 Significant Deficiency - N
519861 2024-001 Significant Deficiency - N
1096302 2024-001 Significant Deficiency - N
1096303 2024-001 Significant Deficiency - N

Contacts

Name Title Type
P2EJM45BLZN6 Russell Bethoney Auditee
9785426885 Zachary Laflash Auditor
No contacts on file

Notes to SEFA

Title: Note 1 - 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 University has elected not to use the 10-percent 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 Salem State University (the “University”) under programs of the Federal Government for the year ended June 30, 2024. The information on this 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 University, it is not intended to and does not present the financial position, changes in net position or cash flows of the University.
Title: Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies 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 University has elected not to use the 10-percent de minimis indirect cost rate as allowed under the Uniform Guidance. 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.
Title: Note 3 - Indirect Cost Rate 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 University has elected not to use the 10-percent de minimis indirect cost rate as allowed under the Uniform Guidance. The University has elected not to use the 10-percent de minimis indirect cost rate as allowed under the Uniform Guidance.
Title: Note 4 - Federal Student Loan Programs 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 University has elected not to use the 10-percent de minimis indirect cost rate as allowed under the Uniform Guidance. Perkins Loan Program The Federal Perkins Loan Program (“Perkins”) is administered directly by the University and balances and transactions relating to this program are included in the University’s basic financial statements. During the year ended June 30, 2024, no loans were advanced under the Perkins program and no administrative costs were incurred. As of June 30, 2024, loan balances receivable, net under Perkins was $152,110. There was no federal capital contribution or match by the University during the current year. Nursing Student Loans The Nursing Student Loan Program is administered by Salem State University. There were $99,953 of loans disbursed during fiscal year 2024. As of June 30, 2024, the loan balances receivable for this program was $434,959.Direct Student Loan Program The University disbursed $27,037,998 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 University under the program as of June 30, 2024. The University is only responsible for the performance of certain administrative duties and, accordingly, these loans are not included in the University’s financial statements.

Finding Details

Finding number: 2024-001 Federal agency: U.S. Department of Education Programs: Student Financial Assistance Cluster AL #: 84.063 and 84.268 Award year: 2024 Criteria According to 34 CFR 668.22(e): When a recipient of title IV grant or loan assistance withdraws from an institution during a payment period or period of enrollment in which the recipient began attendance, the institution must determine the amount of title IV grant or loan assistance that the student earned as of the student's withdrawal date equal to the percentage of the payment period or period of enrollment that the student completed as of the student's withdrawal date, if this date occurs on or before - (A) Completion of 60 percent of the payment period or period of enrollment for a program that is measured in credit hours; or (B) Sixty percent of the clock hours scheduled to be completed for the payment period or period of enrollment for a program that is measured in clock hours. Condition Federal regulations state that when a recipient of Title IV funds withdraws from an institution during a payment period or period of enrollment in which the recipient began attendance, the institution should determine the proper amount of Title IV funds to be refunded as of the recipient’s withdrawal date. Once a recipient’s withdrawal date is determined, an institution should complete a Return of Title IV (“R2T4”) calculation. The R2T4 is used to calculate the percentage of the payment period or period of enrollment completed, establish the amount of Title IV funds earned by the recipient, and determine the amount required to be returned to the Department of Education. During our testing, we noted 2 students, out of a sample of 40, where the Return of Title IV calculation was calculated incorrectly. SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY (an Agency of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts) Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs Year Ended June 30, 2024 Cause The University has policies and procedures in place to perform this calculation for all students who withdraw. However, in the above instances when completing the R2T4 calculation, the University made calculation errors with one student having the incorrect number of earned days in the semester and the second student having the incorrect amount of disbursed aid used in their R2T4 calculation. Effect The University calculated the student’s percentage of earned aid incorrectly which resulted in an incorrect amount of Title IV funds returned to the Department of Education. Questioned Costs $192 Perspective Our sample was not, and was not intended to be, statistically valid. Of the 40 students selected for testing, 2 students, or 5% of our sample, had returns of Title IV funds that were miscalculated. Identification as a Repeat Finding, if applicable Not applicable Recommendation The University should implement a formal review process of the Return of Title IV calculations to ensure an accurate calculation is made. View of Responsible Officials The University agrees with the finding. All questioned costs were returned by the University in October 2024.
Finding number: 2024-001 Federal agency: U.S. Department of Education Programs: Student Financial Assistance Cluster AL #: 84.063 and 84.268 Award year: 2024 Criteria According to 34 CFR 668.22(e): When a recipient of title IV grant or loan assistance withdraws from an institution during a payment period or period of enrollment in which the recipient began attendance, the institution must determine the amount of title IV grant or loan assistance that the student earned as of the student's withdrawal date equal to the percentage of the payment period or period of enrollment that the student completed as of the student's withdrawal date, if this date occurs on or before - (A) Completion of 60 percent of the payment period or period of enrollment for a program that is measured in credit hours; or (B) Sixty percent of the clock hours scheduled to be completed for the payment period or period of enrollment for a program that is measured in clock hours. Condition Federal regulations state that when a recipient of Title IV funds withdraws from an institution during a payment period or period of enrollment in which the recipient began attendance, the institution should determine the proper amount of Title IV funds to be refunded as of the recipient’s withdrawal date. Once a recipient’s withdrawal date is determined, an institution should complete a Return of Title IV (“R2T4”) calculation. The R2T4 is used to calculate the percentage of the payment period or period of enrollment completed, establish the amount of Title IV funds earned by the recipient, and determine the amount required to be returned to the Department of Education. During our testing, we noted 2 students, out of a sample of 40, where the Return of Title IV calculation was calculated incorrectly. SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY (an Agency of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts) Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs Year Ended June 30, 2024 Cause The University has policies and procedures in place to perform this calculation for all students who withdraw. However, in the above instances when completing the R2T4 calculation, the University made calculation errors with one student having the incorrect number of earned days in the semester and the second student having the incorrect amount of disbursed aid used in their R2T4 calculation. Effect The University calculated the student’s percentage of earned aid incorrectly which resulted in an incorrect amount of Title IV funds returned to the Department of Education. Questioned Costs $192 Perspective Our sample was not, and was not intended to be, statistically valid. Of the 40 students selected for testing, 2 students, or 5% of our sample, had returns of Title IV funds that were miscalculated. Identification as a Repeat Finding, if applicable Not applicable Recommendation The University should implement a formal review process of the Return of Title IV calculations to ensure an accurate calculation is made. View of Responsible Officials The University agrees with the finding. All questioned costs were returned by the University in October 2024.
Finding number: 2024-001 Federal agency: U.S. Department of Education Programs: Student Financial Assistance Cluster AL #: 84.063 and 84.268 Award year: 2024 Criteria According to 34 CFR 668.22(e): When a recipient of title IV grant or loan assistance withdraws from an institution during a payment period or period of enrollment in which the recipient began attendance, the institution must determine the amount of title IV grant or loan assistance that the student earned as of the student's withdrawal date equal to the percentage of the payment period or period of enrollment that the student completed as of the student's withdrawal date, if this date occurs on or before - (A) Completion of 60 percent of the payment period or period of enrollment for a program that is measured in credit hours; or (B) Sixty percent of the clock hours scheduled to be completed for the payment period or period of enrollment for a program that is measured in clock hours. Condition Federal regulations state that when a recipient of Title IV funds withdraws from an institution during a payment period or period of enrollment in which the recipient began attendance, the institution should determine the proper amount of Title IV funds to be refunded as of the recipient’s withdrawal date. Once a recipient’s withdrawal date is determined, an institution should complete a Return of Title IV (“R2T4”) calculation. The R2T4 is used to calculate the percentage of the payment period or period of enrollment completed, establish the amount of Title IV funds earned by the recipient, and determine the amount required to be returned to the Department of Education. During our testing, we noted 2 students, out of a sample of 40, where the Return of Title IV calculation was calculated incorrectly. SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY (an Agency of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts) Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs Year Ended June 30, 2024 Cause The University has policies and procedures in place to perform this calculation for all students who withdraw. However, in the above instances when completing the R2T4 calculation, the University made calculation errors with one student having the incorrect number of earned days in the semester and the second student having the incorrect amount of disbursed aid used in their R2T4 calculation. Effect The University calculated the student’s percentage of earned aid incorrectly which resulted in an incorrect amount of Title IV funds returned to the Department of Education. Questioned Costs $192 Perspective Our sample was not, and was not intended to be, statistically valid. Of the 40 students selected for testing, 2 students, or 5% of our sample, had returns of Title IV funds that were miscalculated. Identification as a Repeat Finding, if applicable Not applicable Recommendation The University should implement a formal review process of the Return of Title IV calculations to ensure an accurate calculation is made. View of Responsible Officials The University agrees with the finding. All questioned costs were returned by the University in October 2024.
Finding number: 2024-001 Federal agency: U.S. Department of Education Programs: Student Financial Assistance Cluster AL #: 84.063 and 84.268 Award year: 2024 Criteria According to 34 CFR 668.22(e): When a recipient of title IV grant or loan assistance withdraws from an institution during a payment period or period of enrollment in which the recipient began attendance, the institution must determine the amount of title IV grant or loan assistance that the student earned as of the student's withdrawal date equal to the percentage of the payment period or period of enrollment that the student completed as of the student's withdrawal date, if this date occurs on or before - (A) Completion of 60 percent of the payment period or period of enrollment for a program that is measured in credit hours; or (B) Sixty percent of the clock hours scheduled to be completed for the payment period or period of enrollment for a program that is measured in clock hours. Condition Federal regulations state that when a recipient of Title IV funds withdraws from an institution during a payment period or period of enrollment in which the recipient began attendance, the institution should determine the proper amount of Title IV funds to be refunded as of the recipient’s withdrawal date. Once a recipient’s withdrawal date is determined, an institution should complete a Return of Title IV (“R2T4”) calculation. The R2T4 is used to calculate the percentage of the payment period or period of enrollment completed, establish the amount of Title IV funds earned by the recipient, and determine the amount required to be returned to the Department of Education. During our testing, we noted 2 students, out of a sample of 40, where the Return of Title IV calculation was calculated incorrectly. SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY (an Agency of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts) Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs Year Ended June 30, 2024 Cause The University has policies and procedures in place to perform this calculation for all students who withdraw. However, in the above instances when completing the R2T4 calculation, the University made calculation errors with one student having the incorrect number of earned days in the semester and the second student having the incorrect amount of disbursed aid used in their R2T4 calculation. Effect The University calculated the student’s percentage of earned aid incorrectly which resulted in an incorrect amount of Title IV funds returned to the Department of Education. Questioned Costs $192 Perspective Our sample was not, and was not intended to be, statistically valid. Of the 40 students selected for testing, 2 students, or 5% of our sample, had returns of Title IV funds that were miscalculated. Identification as a Repeat Finding, if applicable Not applicable Recommendation The University should implement a formal review process of the Return of Title IV calculations to ensure an accurate calculation is made. View of Responsible Officials The University agrees with the finding. All questioned costs were returned by the University in October 2024.