Audit 389644

Finding 2025-002: Significant Deficiency - Student Status Changes Program: Federal Direct Loan Programs ALN Number: 84.268 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Federal Award Identification Number: Various Federal Award Year: May 31, 2025 Repeat Finding: 2024-002 Criteria: Title IV regulations (34 CFR 685.309(b)) require that upon receipt of an enrollment report from the Secretary, institutions must update all information included in the report and return the report to the Secretary: (i) in the manner and format prescribed by the Secretary; and (ii) within the timeframe prescribed by the Secretary. Unless it expects to submit its next updated enrollment report to the Secretary within the next 60 days, an institution must notify the Secretary within 30 days after the date the institution discovers that: (i) a loan under Title IV of the Act was made to or on behalf of a student who was enrolled or accepted for enrollment at the institution, and the student has ceased to be enrolled on at least a half-time basis or failed to enroll on at least a half-time basis for the period for which the loan was intended; or (ii) a student who is enrolled at the institution and who received a loan under Title IV of the Act has changed his or her permanent address. Condition/Context: The change in student status for 8 of 26 students tested was not reported to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) within 30 days or included in a response to a roster file within 60 days. The student status for 1 of 26 students tested was reported as a withdrawal although the student was on a leave of absence. In addition, for 7 of 26 students tested, the University was unable to provide sufficient support for the status change. The sample was not statistically valid. Cause: The University’s procedures for reporting all students was not designed appropriately in order to allow for timely reporting to the NSLDS. Effect: The accuracy of Title IV student loan records depends heavily on the accuracy of the enrollment information reported by institutions. If an institution does not review, update and verify student enrollment statuses, effective dates of the enrollment status and the anticipated completion dates, then the Title IV student loan records will be inaccurate. Questioned Costs: Not applicable. Recommendation: The University should revise its procedures to ensure accurate enrollment information is sent to the NSLDS within the required timeframe. Management Response: The University agrees with this finding. The University has been actively taking measures with the new student information system, Jenzabar, and procedures have been standardized across the University. An audit will be preformed to discover the inefficiencies.

Finding 2025-001: Significant Deficiency - Return of Title IV Funds Program: Student Financial Assistance Cluster ALN Number: Various Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Federal Award Identification Number: Various Federal Award Year: May 31, 2025 Repeat Finding: 2024-001 Criteria: Title IV regulations (34 CFR 668.22) require the University to return the unearned portion of grants or loans to the Title IV program within 45 days after a student withdraws. Additionally, The U.S. Department of Education (ED) requires that an institution must ensure that its administrative procedures for the FSA programs include an adequate system of internal controls or checks and balances to ensure compliance with FSA laws and regulations including the return of Title IV funds. Condition/Context: The federal aid refunds for 1 out of 8 of the students tested was not calculated correctly and subsequently, not returned within 45 days from the withdrawal date. The sample was not statistically valid. Also, the auditor noted that the University did not have evidence or documentation available to support the control/review process for return of Title IV calculations. Cause: The University's review procedures for the return of Title IV funds were not followed and the system was not programmed to ensure the correct withdrawal date was used in the calculation of the return of Title IV funds. Effect: The University was in possession of funds belonging to the federal government longer than allowed and could have incorrect return of Title IV calculations and return incorrect amounts to students and/or the ED. Questioned Costs: Not applicable. Recommendation: The University should adhere to its procedures for refunding awards and implement a more formal documented review process/control to ensure refunds are calculated correctly and timely and any returns are made within the required timeframe. Management Response: The University agrees with this finding. The JFA R2T4 calculation incorrectly populated the wrong date used to perform the calculation, thus causing the error. The error was corrected and the director performs the R2T4 and is working to have a back-up employee trained. Staffing levels will have to be brought up to allow for new financial aid staff to complete this task.

Finding 2025-003: Significant Deficiency – Cash management Program: Federal Pell Grant Program and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants ALN Number: Various Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Federal Award Identification Number: Various Federal Award Year: May 31, 2025 Criteria: Title IV regulations (34 CFR 668.16) require recipients of federal awards to administer its federal programs with an adequate system of internal controls over Cash Management. Condition/Context: G5 Drawdown requests were not documented as reviewed and approved by a responsible party separate from the preparer. For 2 of the 7 G5 draws tested, there was no documentation of review or approval by someone other than the preparer. The sample was not a statistically valid sample. Cause: No documentation of review or approval of amounts drawn from G5 was maintained. Effect: Due to the lack of documented review and approval, the College could be at risk for erroneous or fraudulent drawdowns to be requested. Questioned Costs: Not applicable. Recommendation: The University should maintain documentation of the review and approval of G5 drawdown requests by a responsible party separate from the preparer. Management Response: The University agrees with this finding. A form will be created to support each G5 draw or refund. Requestor will fill out the form, providing details of the transaction. The form will be reviewed and signed off by the Controller or EVP of Finance. The person performing the transaction in G5 will sign, attached all the appropriate back-up and file in a designated area for future reference.