Audit 4566

FY End
2023-05-31
Total Expended
$19.15M
Findings
2
Programs
9
Organization: Thomas University, Inc. (GA)
Year: 2023 Accepted: 2023-11-29

Organization Exclusion Status:

Checking exclusion status...

Findings

ID Ref Severity Repeat Requirement
2693 2023-001 - - E
579135 2023-001 - - E

Contacts

Name Title Type
HSN5ZYN9T9V8 Randy Livingston Auditee
2292276886 John Keillor 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. Negative amounts shown on the Schedule represent adjustments or credits made in the normal course of business to amounts reported as expenditures in prior years. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: Thomas University, Inc. has elected not to use the 10% de minimis indirect cost rate allowed under the Uniform Guidance. The accompanying schedule of expenditures of federal and state awards (the "Schedule") includes the federal and state award activity of Thomas University, Inc. under programs of the federal and state government for the year ended May 31, 2023. The information in this Schedule is presented in accordance with the requirements of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 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 Thomas University, Inc., it is not intended to and does not present the financial position, changes in net assets, or cash flows of Thomas University, Inc.
Title: Federal Direct Loan Program 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. Negative amounts shown on the Schedule represent adjustments or credits made in the normal course of business to amounts reported as expenditures in prior years. De Minimis Rate Used: N Rate Explanation: Thomas University, Inc. has elected not to use the 10% de minimis indirect cost rate allowed under the Uniform Guidance. Loans made during the year are included in the Schedule. The balance for loans for previous periods is not included as federal awards expended because the lender accounts for the prior balances.

Finding Details

Finding 2023-001: Information on Federal Program: United States Department of Education. Student Financial Assistance Cluster. Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.268 – Federal Direct Loan Program. Compliance Requirements: Eligibility Criteria: (34 CFR 668.32(g)(2)) A student is eligible to receive Title IV, HEA program assistance if the student has not obtained loan amounts that exceed annual or aggregate loan limits made under any Title IV, HEA loan program. Condition: For the year ended May 31, 2023, we reviewed general eligibility requirements for students who received Title IV program funds and noted one (1) instance where a student received Title IV program funds during the audit period after the student exceeded their aggregate loan limit. Cause: No cause could be determined. Effect: Students received more loan funds than allowed. Questioned Costs: $1,732 in 22-23 Subsidized Federal Direct Loan program funds and $2,969 in 22-23 Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan program funds. Context: We tested forty (40) randomly selected student files totaling $491,875 from a population of $17,533,359 and found one (1) instance of noncompliance in the amount of $4,701. Student #E25 – The student received $1,732 in 22-23 Subsidized Federal Direct Loan program funds and $2,969 in 22-23 Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan program funds. The student was eligible for $0 in 22-23 Subsidized Federal Direct Loan program funds and $0 22-23 Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan program funds, resulting in a $1,732 overaward in 22-23 Subsidized Federal Direct Loan program funds and a $2,969 overaward in 22-23 Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan program funds. At the time of the audit, the student had received $77,645 in aggregate loans. An independent undergraduate student is only allowed to receive up to $57,500 in aggregate loans. Subsequent to the audit, the University refunded $1,732 in 22-23 Subsidized Federal Direct Loan program funds and $2,969 in 22-23 Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan program funds. Repeat Finding: Not a repeat finding. Recommendation: Subsequent to the audit, the University refunded the awards in question. Therefore, we recommend management review and revise controls over student eligibility, at the time of packaging, to determine students have not or will not exceed their annual or aggregate loan limits. Responsible Official’s Response and Corrective Action Planned: Management agrees with the finding and recommendations. The organization will undergo a software upgrade aimed at augmenting the efficiency and precision of the financial aid department. We anticipate that this upgrade will be fully operational by the end of the first quarter of the next calendar year. Planned Implementation Date of Corrective Action: 03/29/2024 Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Clifton Mitchell, Director of Student Financial Services.
Finding 2023-001: Information on Federal Program: United States Department of Education. Student Financial Assistance Cluster. Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.268 – Federal Direct Loan Program. Compliance Requirements: Eligibility Criteria: (34 CFR 668.32(g)(2)) A student is eligible to receive Title IV, HEA program assistance if the student has not obtained loan amounts that exceed annual or aggregate loan limits made under any Title IV, HEA loan program. Condition: For the year ended May 31, 2023, we reviewed general eligibility requirements for students who received Title IV program funds and noted one (1) instance where a student received Title IV program funds during the audit period after the student exceeded their aggregate loan limit. Cause: No cause could be determined. Effect: Students received more loan funds than allowed. Questioned Costs: $1,732 in 22-23 Subsidized Federal Direct Loan program funds and $2,969 in 22-23 Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan program funds. Context: We tested forty (40) randomly selected student files totaling $491,875 from a population of $17,533,359 and found one (1) instance of noncompliance in the amount of $4,701. Student #E25 – The student received $1,732 in 22-23 Subsidized Federal Direct Loan program funds and $2,969 in 22-23 Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan program funds. The student was eligible for $0 in 22-23 Subsidized Federal Direct Loan program funds and $0 22-23 Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan program funds, resulting in a $1,732 overaward in 22-23 Subsidized Federal Direct Loan program funds and a $2,969 overaward in 22-23 Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan program funds. At the time of the audit, the student had received $77,645 in aggregate loans. An independent undergraduate student is only allowed to receive up to $57,500 in aggregate loans. Subsequent to the audit, the University refunded $1,732 in 22-23 Subsidized Federal Direct Loan program funds and $2,969 in 22-23 Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan program funds. Repeat Finding: Not a repeat finding. Recommendation: Subsequent to the audit, the University refunded the awards in question. Therefore, we recommend management review and revise controls over student eligibility, at the time of packaging, to determine students have not or will not exceed their annual or aggregate loan limits. Responsible Official’s Response and Corrective Action Planned: Management agrees with the finding and recommendations. The organization will undergo a software upgrade aimed at augmenting the efficiency and precision of the financial aid department. We anticipate that this upgrade will be fully operational by the end of the first quarter of the next calendar year. Planned Implementation Date of Corrective Action: 03/29/2024 Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Clifton Mitchell, Director of Student Financial Services.