Finding 2024-003: Eligibility – Significant Deficiency Student Financial Assistance Cluster U.S. Department of Education Award Period: June 1, 2023 – May 31, 2024 Criteria: Per 34 CFR 690.62, the amount of a student’s Pell Grant for an academic year is based upon the payment and disbursement schedules published by the Secretary for each award year. Condition: The University did not ensure the accuracy of the amount of Pell Grants granted to students who participated in the Summer 2023 semester. Cause: Counselors within the Financial Aid department calculate the yearly Pell amounts per student, as students need to be reviewed on an individual basis to ensure they had enough credits for eligibility purposes. A report is run out of Banner on an annual basis to ensure the accuracy of the Pell funds awarded. The University changed the header semester to Summer for the academic year ended 2024. The University did not change the review procedure to account for the change in the header semester and did not run an annual report to confirm the accuracy of the Pell amounts rewarded. Effect: For 2 out of 40 students sampled for eligibility testing, students received less aid than eligible for due to the summer semester being incorrectly counted. University personnel revisited all students (146 students) that received Pell Grants during Summer 2023 noting an additional 11 students with incorrect awards. This sample was not a statistical sample. Questioned Costs: Students received $26,405 less Pell grants than eligible to receive for the year ended May 31, 2024. The University awarded these funds subsequent to year end on September 4, 2024. Context: The University changed the header semester to Summer for the academic year ended May 31, 2024 Repeat Finding: No. Recommendation: The University should implement a control within the Financial Aid department that requires another individual within the department to review the Pell funds awarded by student for accuracy. For the 13 students with inaccurate Pell awards, these were corrected immediately when brought to management’s attention. Views of Responsible Officials: See management’s corrective action plan on page 51.
Finding 2024-004: Special Tests and Provisions – Enrollment Reporting – Significant Deficiency Student Financial Assistance Cluster U.S. Department of Education Award Period: June 1, 2023 – May 31, 2024 Criteria: According to 34 CFR 690.83(b)(2) and 34 CFR 685.309, institutions are required to report enrollment information under the Pell grant and Direct loan programs via the NSLDS (National Student Loan Data System). The administration of the Title IV programs depends heavily on the accuracy and timeliness of the enrollment information reported by institutions. Condition: The University did not ensure the accuracy of program lengths when submitting enrollment status changes to the NSLDS. Cause: As a marketing strategy, individuals within the marketing department of the University advertised certain program lengths of its various programs and majors as specific lengths in order to attract future students. However, this change was not communicated to the Registrar’s office, who are the individuals responsible for reporting program length to the NSLDS. Effect: There was a discrepancy in program length for 13 out of 40 students between the NSLDS and the University’s website, which holds the course catalogue. The NSLDS utilizes program length to determine the subsidy status of loans, and incorrect reporting can cause students to lose interest subsidies. This sample was not a statistical sample. Questioned Costs: None. Context: During the fiscal year under audit, enrollment status changes, including program length, were being communicated to the NSLDS, but discrepancies existed between the NSLDS and the University’s website. Repeat Finding: No. Recommendation: The University should evaluate all program lengths per the website and ensure that program lengths are accurate and that there are no discrepancies when comparing the website to NSLDS. Views of Responsible Officials: See management’s corrective action plan on page 51.
Finding 2024-004: Special Tests and Provisions – Enrollment Reporting – Significant Deficiency Student Financial Assistance Cluster U.S. Department of Education Award Period: June 1, 2023 – May 31, 2024 Criteria: According to 34 CFR 690.83(b)(2) and 34 CFR 685.309, institutions are required to report enrollment information under the Pell grant and Direct loan programs via the NSLDS (National Student Loan Data System). The administration of the Title IV programs depends heavily on the accuracy and timeliness of the enrollment information reported by institutions. Condition: The University did not ensure the accuracy of program lengths when submitting enrollment status changes to the NSLDS. Cause: As a marketing strategy, individuals within the marketing department of the University advertised certain program lengths of its various programs and majors as specific lengths in order to attract future students. However, this change was not communicated to the Registrar’s office, who are the individuals responsible for reporting program length to the NSLDS. Effect: There was a discrepancy in program length for 13 out of 40 students between the NSLDS and the University’s website, which holds the course catalogue. The NSLDS utilizes program length to determine the subsidy status of loans, and incorrect reporting can cause students to lose interest subsidies. This sample was not a statistical sample. Questioned Costs: None. Context: During the fiscal year under audit, enrollment status changes, including program length, were being communicated to the NSLDS, but discrepancies existed between the NSLDS and the University’s website. Repeat Finding: No. Recommendation: The University should evaluate all program lengths per the website and ensure that program lengths are accurate and that there are no discrepancies when comparing the website to NSLDS. Views of Responsible Officials: See management’s corrective action plan on page 51.
Finding 2024-005: Special Tests and Provisions – Enrollment Reporting – Significant Deficiency Student Financial Assistance Cluster U.S. Department of Education Award Period: June 1, 2023 – May 31, 2024 Criteria: According to 34 CFR 690.83(b)(2) and 34 CFR 685.309, institutions are required to report enrollment information under the Pell grant and Direct loan programs via the NSLDS. The administration of the Title IV programs depends heavily on the accuracy and timeliness of the enrollment information reported by institutions. Condition: The University did not properly submit updates as necessary to student enrollment status changes to the NSLDS within the 60-day timeframe. Cause: Enrollment status changes were being sent consistently and timely to the NSC (National Student Clearinghouse), but any discrepancies were not found and corrected. Effect: The status change for 4 out of 40 students were not properly communicated with the NSLDS, which resulted in noncompliance with this compliance requirement. Questioned Costs: None. Context: During the fiscal year under audit, enrollment status changes were being communicated to the NSLDS, but there was no process to review any discrepancies between the University’s enrollment records and the NSLDS. Repeat Finding: No. Recommendation: The University should implement a monthly review process to ensure all student enrollment status changes are captured when certifying enrollment data. Views of Responsible Officials: See management’s corrective action plan on page 51.
Finding 2024-005: Special Tests and Provisions – Enrollment Reporting – Significant Deficiency Student Financial Assistance Cluster U.S. Department of Education Award Period: June 1, 2023 – May 31, 2024 Criteria: According to 34 CFR 690.83(b)(2) and 34 CFR 685.309, institutions are required to report enrollment information under the Pell grant and Direct loan programs via the NSLDS. The administration of the Title IV programs depends heavily on the accuracy and timeliness of the enrollment information reported by institutions. Condition: The University did not properly submit updates as necessary to student enrollment status changes to the NSLDS within the 60-day timeframe. Cause: Enrollment status changes were being sent consistently and timely to the NSC (National Student Clearinghouse), but any discrepancies were not found and corrected. Effect: The status change for 4 out of 40 students were not properly communicated with the NSLDS, which resulted in noncompliance with this compliance requirement. Questioned Costs: None. Context: During the fiscal year under audit, enrollment status changes were being communicated to the NSLDS, but there was no process to review any discrepancies between the University’s enrollment records and the NSLDS. Repeat Finding: No. Recommendation: The University should implement a monthly review process to ensure all student enrollment status changes are captured when certifying enrollment data. Views of Responsible Officials: See management’s corrective action plan on page 51.
Finding 2024-003: Eligibility – Significant Deficiency Student Financial Assistance Cluster U.S. Department of Education Award Period: June 1, 2023 – May 31, 2024 Criteria: Per 34 CFR 690.62, the amount of a student’s Pell Grant for an academic year is based upon the payment and disbursement schedules published by the Secretary for each award year. Condition: The University did not ensure the accuracy of the amount of Pell Grants granted to students who participated in the Summer 2023 semester. Cause: Counselors within the Financial Aid department calculate the yearly Pell amounts per student, as students need to be reviewed on an individual basis to ensure they had enough credits for eligibility purposes. A report is run out of Banner on an annual basis to ensure the accuracy of the Pell funds awarded. The University changed the header semester to Summer for the academic year ended 2024. The University did not change the review procedure to account for the change in the header semester and did not run an annual report to confirm the accuracy of the Pell amounts rewarded. Effect: For 2 out of 40 students sampled for eligibility testing, students received less aid than eligible for due to the summer semester being incorrectly counted. University personnel revisited all students (146 students) that received Pell Grants during Summer 2023 noting an additional 11 students with incorrect awards. This sample was not a statistical sample. Questioned Costs: Students received $26,405 less Pell grants than eligible to receive for the year ended May 31, 2024. The University awarded these funds subsequent to year end on September 4, 2024. Context: The University changed the header semester to Summer for the academic year ended May 31, 2024 Repeat Finding: No. Recommendation: The University should implement a control within the Financial Aid department that requires another individual within the department to review the Pell funds awarded by student for accuracy. For the 13 students with inaccurate Pell awards, these were corrected immediately when brought to management’s attention. Views of Responsible Officials: See management’s corrective action plan on page 51.
Finding 2024-004: Special Tests and Provisions – Enrollment Reporting – Significant Deficiency Student Financial Assistance Cluster U.S. Department of Education Award Period: June 1, 2023 – May 31, 2024 Criteria: According to 34 CFR 690.83(b)(2) and 34 CFR 685.309, institutions are required to report enrollment information under the Pell grant and Direct loan programs via the NSLDS (National Student Loan Data System). The administration of the Title IV programs depends heavily on the accuracy and timeliness of the enrollment information reported by institutions. Condition: The University did not ensure the accuracy of program lengths when submitting enrollment status changes to the NSLDS. Cause: As a marketing strategy, individuals within the marketing department of the University advertised certain program lengths of its various programs and majors as specific lengths in order to attract future students. However, this change was not communicated to the Registrar’s office, who are the individuals responsible for reporting program length to the NSLDS. Effect: There was a discrepancy in program length for 13 out of 40 students between the NSLDS and the University’s website, which holds the course catalogue. The NSLDS utilizes program length to determine the subsidy status of loans, and incorrect reporting can cause students to lose interest subsidies. This sample was not a statistical sample. Questioned Costs: None. Context: During the fiscal year under audit, enrollment status changes, including program length, were being communicated to the NSLDS, but discrepancies existed between the NSLDS and the University’s website. Repeat Finding: No. Recommendation: The University should evaluate all program lengths per the website and ensure that program lengths are accurate and that there are no discrepancies when comparing the website to NSLDS. Views of Responsible Officials: See management’s corrective action plan on page 51.
Finding 2024-004: Special Tests and Provisions – Enrollment Reporting – Significant Deficiency Student Financial Assistance Cluster U.S. Department of Education Award Period: June 1, 2023 – May 31, 2024 Criteria: According to 34 CFR 690.83(b)(2) and 34 CFR 685.309, institutions are required to report enrollment information under the Pell grant and Direct loan programs via the NSLDS (National Student Loan Data System). The administration of the Title IV programs depends heavily on the accuracy and timeliness of the enrollment information reported by institutions. Condition: The University did not ensure the accuracy of program lengths when submitting enrollment status changes to the NSLDS. Cause: As a marketing strategy, individuals within the marketing department of the University advertised certain program lengths of its various programs and majors as specific lengths in order to attract future students. However, this change was not communicated to the Registrar’s office, who are the individuals responsible for reporting program length to the NSLDS. Effect: There was a discrepancy in program length for 13 out of 40 students between the NSLDS and the University’s website, which holds the course catalogue. The NSLDS utilizes program length to determine the subsidy status of loans, and incorrect reporting can cause students to lose interest subsidies. This sample was not a statistical sample. Questioned Costs: None. Context: During the fiscal year under audit, enrollment status changes, including program length, were being communicated to the NSLDS, but discrepancies existed between the NSLDS and the University’s website. Repeat Finding: No. Recommendation: The University should evaluate all program lengths per the website and ensure that program lengths are accurate and that there are no discrepancies when comparing the website to NSLDS. Views of Responsible Officials: See management’s corrective action plan on page 51.
Finding 2024-005: Special Tests and Provisions – Enrollment Reporting – Significant Deficiency Student Financial Assistance Cluster U.S. Department of Education Award Period: June 1, 2023 – May 31, 2024 Criteria: According to 34 CFR 690.83(b)(2) and 34 CFR 685.309, institutions are required to report enrollment information under the Pell grant and Direct loan programs via the NSLDS. The administration of the Title IV programs depends heavily on the accuracy and timeliness of the enrollment information reported by institutions. Condition: The University did not properly submit updates as necessary to student enrollment status changes to the NSLDS within the 60-day timeframe. Cause: Enrollment status changes were being sent consistently and timely to the NSC (National Student Clearinghouse), but any discrepancies were not found and corrected. Effect: The status change for 4 out of 40 students were not properly communicated with the NSLDS, which resulted in noncompliance with this compliance requirement. Questioned Costs: None. Context: During the fiscal year under audit, enrollment status changes were being communicated to the NSLDS, but there was no process to review any discrepancies between the University’s enrollment records and the NSLDS. Repeat Finding: No. Recommendation: The University should implement a monthly review process to ensure all student enrollment status changes are captured when certifying enrollment data. Views of Responsible Officials: See management’s corrective action plan on page 51.
Finding 2024-005: Special Tests and Provisions – Enrollment Reporting – Significant Deficiency Student Financial Assistance Cluster U.S. Department of Education Award Period: June 1, 2023 – May 31, 2024 Criteria: According to 34 CFR 690.83(b)(2) and 34 CFR 685.309, institutions are required to report enrollment information under the Pell grant and Direct loan programs via the NSLDS. The administration of the Title IV programs depends heavily on the accuracy and timeliness of the enrollment information reported by institutions. Condition: The University did not properly submit updates as necessary to student enrollment status changes to the NSLDS within the 60-day timeframe. Cause: Enrollment status changes were being sent consistently and timely to the NSC (National Student Clearinghouse), but any discrepancies were not found and corrected. Effect: The status change for 4 out of 40 students were not properly communicated with the NSLDS, which resulted in noncompliance with this compliance requirement. Questioned Costs: None. Context: During the fiscal year under audit, enrollment status changes were being communicated to the NSLDS, but there was no process to review any discrepancies between the University’s enrollment records and the NSLDS. Repeat Finding: No. Recommendation: The University should implement a monthly review process to ensure all student enrollment status changes are captured when certifying enrollment data. Views of Responsible Officials: See management’s corrective action plan on page 51.