Audit Finding Reference Number Questioned Costs 2022-001 - Return of Title IV Funds $32,974 Federal Program and Specific Federal Award Identification CFDA Title and Number 84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program (PELL) 84.268 Federal Direct Student Loan (Direct) Federal Award Year June 30, 2022 Federal Agencies U. S. Department of Education Pass-Through Entity Not applicable Criteria The 2 CFR Part 200, Compliance Supplement, Part III Section (N) (3) specifies that when a student receives Title IV assistance and withdraws from an institution, the institution must determine the amount of Title IV aid earned by the student as of the withdrawal date. The difference between any amounts earned that is less than the amount disbursed must be returned to the Title IV program within the prescribed time frame. In addition, when a student does not begin attendance, all Title IV assistance must be returned. A student is considered to have not begun attendance if the institution is unable to document the student?s attendance at any class. Conditions and Context During my audit, I noted the ten (10) students out of twelve (12) students tested in which the University was unable to document the last date of attendance for each of the students? enrolled courses, document if the student participated in any academic related activity or document if the student ever attended class. No questioned cost was associated with this condition. Cause The University failed to adhere to established procedures in processing certain refunds. Questioned Costs For purposes of this condition, I have questioned costs totaling $32,974. PELL $12,058 Direct Loans 20,916 Total $32,974 Effect The University has not complied with Title IV regulations that specify a student is considered to have not begun attendance if the institution is unable to document the student?s attendance at any class. Proper attendance and/or participation in academic related activity documentation was not maintained. Repeat Finding Yes, See 2021-001. Recommendation I recommend that management adhere to established procedures to ensure attendance and/or participation in academic related activity is properly documented. Management Response It was brought to our attention that we are unable to update our third transmittal to NSC due an uploading error with Jenzabar. Once we were notified of this error, we began communicating with NSC to find an alternative route to submit the third transmittal. The third transmittal was submitted but we later learned that the file was rejected. Unfortunately, during that time, the notification of the error message was inadvertently overlooked due to the challenges we were faced with during the recovery period of Hurricane Ida. To mitigate this from occurring in the future, we have discussed changing how and when our enrollment transmittal data will be reported. Furthermore, we had participated in training and scheduled additional training opportunities with Jenzabar to create an errorless transmittal process.
Audit Finding Reference Number 2022-002 ? Student Credit Balance Federal Program and Specific Federal Award Identification CFDA Title and Number 84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program (PELL) 84.268 Federal Direct Student Loan (Direct) Federal Award Year June 30, 2022 Federal Agencies U. S. Department of Education Pass-Through Entity Not applicable Criteria OMB 2 CFR 200, Subpart F Compliance Supplement, Part 5. Student Financial Assistance Programs, Section III Part N - Special Tests and Provisions stipulate that disbursements to students must be made in accordance with required time frames. Title IV regulations 34 CFR 668.164 (e) specifies that whenever a school credits Student Financial Aid program funds to a student's account, and those funds exceed the student's allowable charges, a SF A credit balance occurs. The school must pay the credit balance to the student as soon as possible, but no later than fourteen (14) days after the later of the date the balance occurred on the student's account or the first day of classes of the payment period. Conditions and Context I noted during my audit, eight (8) out of twenty-five (25) students with student financial aid credit balances but the University did not refund the credit balances to the students within the prescribed fourteen (14) day requirement. Cause It appears the University did not ensure the students received their excess funds refunds within the prescribed timeframe. Questioned Cost For purposes of this condition, I have no questioned costs. Effect The University has not complied with the Title IV requirements resulting in students not receiving their Title IV refunds timely. Repeat Finding No. Recommendation I recommend the University take immediate steps to ensure students receive their Title IV refunds within the required timeframes as required by the federal regulations. Management?s Response During the Fall 2021 semester, the late disbursement of funds was the result of staff being displaced as a result of Hurricane Ida in which the University started on time but had to stop due to the hurricane and its impact. Several staff members were also impacted, and the departments were working short staffed, which filtered into the Spring 2022 semester whereby there was an increase in the reduction of staff within the Office of Business and Finance.
Audit Finding Reference Number Questioned Costs 2022-001 - Return of Title IV Funds $32,974 Federal Program and Specific Federal Award Identification CFDA Title and Number 84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program (PELL) 84.268 Federal Direct Student Loan (Direct) Federal Award Year June 30, 2022 Federal Agencies U. S. Department of Education Pass-Through Entity Not applicable Criteria The 2 CFR Part 200, Compliance Supplement, Part III Section (N) (3) specifies that when a student receives Title IV assistance and withdraws from an institution, the institution must determine the amount of Title IV aid earned by the student as of the withdrawal date. The difference between any amounts earned that is less than the amount disbursed must be returned to the Title IV program within the prescribed time frame. In addition, when a student does not begin attendance, all Title IV assistance must be returned. A student is considered to have not begun attendance if the institution is unable to document the student?s attendance at any class. Conditions and Context During my audit, I noted the ten (10) students out of twelve (12) students tested in which the University was unable to document the last date of attendance for each of the students? enrolled courses, document if the student participated in any academic related activity or document if the student ever attended class. No questioned cost was associated with this condition. Cause The University failed to adhere to established procedures in processing certain refunds. Questioned Costs For purposes of this condition, I have questioned costs totaling $32,974. PELL $12,058 Direct Loans 20,916 Total $32,974 Effect The University has not complied with Title IV regulations that specify a student is considered to have not begun attendance if the institution is unable to document the student?s attendance at any class. Proper attendance and/or participation in academic related activity documentation was not maintained. Repeat Finding Yes, See 2021-001. Recommendation I recommend that management adhere to established procedures to ensure attendance and/or participation in academic related activity is properly documented. Management Response It was brought to our attention that we are unable to update our third transmittal to NSC due an uploading error with Jenzabar. Once we were notified of this error, we began communicating with NSC to find an alternative route to submit the third transmittal. The third transmittal was submitted but we later learned that the file was rejected. Unfortunately, during that time, the notification of the error message was inadvertently overlooked due to the challenges we were faced with during the recovery period of Hurricane Ida. To mitigate this from occurring in the future, we have discussed changing how and when our enrollment transmittal data will be reported. Furthermore, we had participated in training and scheduled additional training opportunities with Jenzabar to create an errorless transmittal process.
Audit Finding Reference Number 2022-002 ? Student Credit Balance Federal Program and Specific Federal Award Identification CFDA Title and Number 84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program (PELL) 84.268 Federal Direct Student Loan (Direct) Federal Award Year June 30, 2022 Federal Agencies U. S. Department of Education Pass-Through Entity Not applicable Criteria OMB 2 CFR 200, Subpart F Compliance Supplement, Part 5. Student Financial Assistance Programs, Section III Part N - Special Tests and Provisions stipulate that disbursements to students must be made in accordance with required time frames. Title IV regulations 34 CFR 668.164 (e) specifies that whenever a school credits Student Financial Aid program funds to a student's account, and those funds exceed the student's allowable charges, a SF A credit balance occurs. The school must pay the credit balance to the student as soon as possible, but no later than fourteen (14) days after the later of the date the balance occurred on the student's account or the first day of classes of the payment period. Conditions and Context I noted during my audit, eight (8) out of twenty-five (25) students with student financial aid credit balances but the University did not refund the credit balances to the students within the prescribed fourteen (14) day requirement. Cause It appears the University did not ensure the students received their excess funds refunds within the prescribed timeframe. Questioned Cost For purposes of this condition, I have no questioned costs. Effect The University has not complied with the Title IV requirements resulting in students not receiving their Title IV refunds timely. Repeat Finding No. Recommendation I recommend the University take immediate steps to ensure students receive their Title IV refunds within the required timeframes as required by the federal regulations. Management?s Response During the Fall 2021 semester, the late disbursement of funds was the result of staff being displaced as a result of Hurricane Ida in which the University started on time but had to stop due to the hurricane and its impact. Several staff members were also impacted, and the departments were working short staffed, which filtered into the Spring 2022 semester whereby there was an increase in the reduction of staff within the Office of Business and Finance.
Audit Finding Reference Number 2022-003 ? Student Status Confirmation Report Federal Program and Specific Federal Award Identification CFDA Title and Number 84.268 Federal Direct Student Loan (Direct) Federal Award Year June 30, 2022 Federal Agencies U. S. Department of Education Pass-Through Entity Not applicable Criteria Title IV Regulations, 34 CFR Section 682.610 (c) (i) (ii) (iii) stipulated that if a university discovers that a loan has been made to or on behalf of a student who enrolled at that school, but who has ceased to be enrolled on at least a half-time basis; a student who has been accepted for enrollment at that school, but who failed to enroll on at least a half-time basis for the period for which the loan was intended, or a full-time student who has ceased to be enrolled on a full-time basis, the University must notify the guarantee agency. Conditions and Context I noted during my audit fourteen (14) students out of twenty-five (25) tested whose enrollment status was not reported or not reported correctly on the student status confirmation reports to the National Student Clearinghouse. Cause It appears that the University did not properly report the student?s enrollment status to the guarantee agency. Questioned Costs For purposes of the condition, I do not have any questioned costs. Effect Noncompliance with federal regulations. The University did not properly report the student?s status to the guarantee agency. Repeat Finding No. Recommendation I recommend that the University determine the student?s proper enrollment status and report the accurate status to the guarantee agency. Management Response It was brought to our attention that we are unable to update our third transmittal to NSC due an uploading error with Jenzabar. Once we were notified of this error, we began communicating with NSC to find an alternative route to submit the third transmittal. The third transmittal was submitted but we later learned that the file was rejected. Unfortunately during that time, the notification of the error message was inadvertently overlooked due to the challenges we were faced with during the recovery period of Hurricane Ida. To mitigate this from occurring in the future, we have discussed changing how and when our enrollment transmittal data will be reported. Furthermore, we had participated in training and scheduled additional training opportunities with Jenzabar to create an errorless transmittal process.
Audit Finding Reference Number Questioned Costs 2022-001 - Return of Title IV Funds $32,974 Federal Program and Specific Federal Award Identification CFDA Title and Number 84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program (PELL) 84.268 Federal Direct Student Loan (Direct) Federal Award Year June 30, 2022 Federal Agencies U. S. Department of Education Pass-Through Entity Not applicable Criteria The 2 CFR Part 200, Compliance Supplement, Part III Section (N) (3) specifies that when a student receives Title IV assistance and withdraws from an institution, the institution must determine the amount of Title IV aid earned by the student as of the withdrawal date. The difference between any amounts earned that is less than the amount disbursed must be returned to the Title IV program within the prescribed time frame. In addition, when a student does not begin attendance, all Title IV assistance must be returned. A student is considered to have not begun attendance if the institution is unable to document the student?s attendance at any class. Conditions and Context During my audit, I noted the ten (10) students out of twelve (12) students tested in which the University was unable to document the last date of attendance for each of the students? enrolled courses, document if the student participated in any academic related activity or document if the student ever attended class. No questioned cost was associated with this condition. Cause The University failed to adhere to established procedures in processing certain refunds. Questioned Costs For purposes of this condition, I have questioned costs totaling $32,974. PELL $12,058 Direct Loans 20,916 Total $32,974 Effect The University has not complied with Title IV regulations that specify a student is considered to have not begun attendance if the institution is unable to document the student?s attendance at any class. Proper attendance and/or participation in academic related activity documentation was not maintained. Repeat Finding Yes, See 2021-001. Recommendation I recommend that management adhere to established procedures to ensure attendance and/or participation in academic related activity is properly documented. Management Response It was brought to our attention that we are unable to update our third transmittal to NSC due an uploading error with Jenzabar. Once we were notified of this error, we began communicating with NSC to find an alternative route to submit the third transmittal. The third transmittal was submitted but we later learned that the file was rejected. Unfortunately, during that time, the notification of the error message was inadvertently overlooked due to the challenges we were faced with during the recovery period of Hurricane Ida. To mitigate this from occurring in the future, we have discussed changing how and when our enrollment transmittal data will be reported. Furthermore, we had participated in training and scheduled additional training opportunities with Jenzabar to create an errorless transmittal process.
Audit Finding Reference Number 2022-002 ? Student Credit Balance Federal Program and Specific Federal Award Identification CFDA Title and Number 84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program (PELL) 84.268 Federal Direct Student Loan (Direct) Federal Award Year June 30, 2022 Federal Agencies U. S. Department of Education Pass-Through Entity Not applicable Criteria OMB 2 CFR 200, Subpart F Compliance Supplement, Part 5. Student Financial Assistance Programs, Section III Part N - Special Tests and Provisions stipulate that disbursements to students must be made in accordance with required time frames. Title IV regulations 34 CFR 668.164 (e) specifies that whenever a school credits Student Financial Aid program funds to a student's account, and those funds exceed the student's allowable charges, a SF A credit balance occurs. The school must pay the credit balance to the student as soon as possible, but no later than fourteen (14) days after the later of the date the balance occurred on the student's account or the first day of classes of the payment period. Conditions and Context I noted during my audit, eight (8) out of twenty-five (25) students with student financial aid credit balances but the University did not refund the credit balances to the students within the prescribed fourteen (14) day requirement. Cause It appears the University did not ensure the students received their excess funds refunds within the prescribed timeframe. Questioned Cost For purposes of this condition, I have no questioned costs. Effect The University has not complied with the Title IV requirements resulting in students not receiving their Title IV refunds timely. Repeat Finding No. Recommendation I recommend the University take immediate steps to ensure students receive their Title IV refunds within the required timeframes as required by the federal regulations. Management?s Response During the Fall 2021 semester, the late disbursement of funds was the result of staff being displaced as a result of Hurricane Ida in which the University started on time but had to stop due to the hurricane and its impact. Several staff members were also impacted, and the departments were working short staffed, which filtered into the Spring 2022 semester whereby there was an increase in the reduction of staff within the Office of Business and Finance.
Audit Finding Reference Number Questioned Costs 2022-001 - Return of Title IV Funds $32,974 Federal Program and Specific Federal Award Identification CFDA Title and Number 84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program (PELL) 84.268 Federal Direct Student Loan (Direct) Federal Award Year June 30, 2022 Federal Agencies U. S. Department of Education Pass-Through Entity Not applicable Criteria The 2 CFR Part 200, Compliance Supplement, Part III Section (N) (3) specifies that when a student receives Title IV assistance and withdraws from an institution, the institution must determine the amount of Title IV aid earned by the student as of the withdrawal date. The difference between any amounts earned that is less than the amount disbursed must be returned to the Title IV program within the prescribed time frame. In addition, when a student does not begin attendance, all Title IV assistance must be returned. A student is considered to have not begun attendance if the institution is unable to document the student?s attendance at any class. Conditions and Context During my audit, I noted the ten (10) students out of twelve (12) students tested in which the University was unable to document the last date of attendance for each of the students? enrolled courses, document if the student participated in any academic related activity or document if the student ever attended class. No questioned cost was associated with this condition. Cause The University failed to adhere to established procedures in processing certain refunds. Questioned Costs For purposes of this condition, I have questioned costs totaling $32,974. PELL $12,058 Direct Loans 20,916 Total $32,974 Effect The University has not complied with Title IV regulations that specify a student is considered to have not begun attendance if the institution is unable to document the student?s attendance at any class. Proper attendance and/or participation in academic related activity documentation was not maintained. Repeat Finding Yes, See 2021-001. Recommendation I recommend that management adhere to established procedures to ensure attendance and/or participation in academic related activity is properly documented. Management Response It was brought to our attention that we are unable to update our third transmittal to NSC due an uploading error with Jenzabar. Once we were notified of this error, we began communicating with NSC to find an alternative route to submit the third transmittal. The third transmittal was submitted but we later learned that the file was rejected. Unfortunately, during that time, the notification of the error message was inadvertently overlooked due to the challenges we were faced with during the recovery period of Hurricane Ida. To mitigate this from occurring in the future, we have discussed changing how and when our enrollment transmittal data will be reported. Furthermore, we had participated in training and scheduled additional training opportunities with Jenzabar to create an errorless transmittal process.
Audit Finding Reference Number 2022-002 ? Student Credit Balance Federal Program and Specific Federal Award Identification CFDA Title and Number 84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program (PELL) 84.268 Federal Direct Student Loan (Direct) Federal Award Year June 30, 2022 Federal Agencies U. S. Department of Education Pass-Through Entity Not applicable Criteria OMB 2 CFR 200, Subpart F Compliance Supplement, Part 5. Student Financial Assistance Programs, Section III Part N - Special Tests and Provisions stipulate that disbursements to students must be made in accordance with required time frames. Title IV regulations 34 CFR 668.164 (e) specifies that whenever a school credits Student Financial Aid program funds to a student's account, and those funds exceed the student's allowable charges, a SF A credit balance occurs. The school must pay the credit balance to the student as soon as possible, but no later than fourteen (14) days after the later of the date the balance occurred on the student's account or the first day of classes of the payment period. Conditions and Context I noted during my audit, eight (8) out of twenty-five (25) students with student financial aid credit balances but the University did not refund the credit balances to the students within the prescribed fourteen (14) day requirement. Cause It appears the University did not ensure the students received their excess funds refunds within the prescribed timeframe. Questioned Cost For purposes of this condition, I have no questioned costs. Effect The University has not complied with the Title IV requirements resulting in students not receiving their Title IV refunds timely. Repeat Finding No. Recommendation I recommend the University take immediate steps to ensure students receive their Title IV refunds within the required timeframes as required by the federal regulations. Management?s Response During the Fall 2021 semester, the late disbursement of funds was the result of staff being displaced as a result of Hurricane Ida in which the University started on time but had to stop due to the hurricane and its impact. Several staff members were also impacted, and the departments were working short staffed, which filtered into the Spring 2022 semester whereby there was an increase in the reduction of staff within the Office of Business and Finance.
Audit Finding Reference Number 2022-003 ? Student Status Confirmation Report Federal Program and Specific Federal Award Identification CFDA Title and Number 84.268 Federal Direct Student Loan (Direct) Federal Award Year June 30, 2022 Federal Agencies U. S. Department of Education Pass-Through Entity Not applicable Criteria Title IV Regulations, 34 CFR Section 682.610 (c) (i) (ii) (iii) stipulated that if a university discovers that a loan has been made to or on behalf of a student who enrolled at that school, but who has ceased to be enrolled on at least a half-time basis; a student who has been accepted for enrollment at that school, but who failed to enroll on at least a half-time basis for the period for which the loan was intended, or a full-time student who has ceased to be enrolled on a full-time basis, the University must notify the guarantee agency. Conditions and Context I noted during my audit fourteen (14) students out of twenty-five (25) tested whose enrollment status was not reported or not reported correctly on the student status confirmation reports to the National Student Clearinghouse. Cause It appears that the University did not properly report the student?s enrollment status to the guarantee agency. Questioned Costs For purposes of the condition, I do not have any questioned costs. Effect Noncompliance with federal regulations. The University did not properly report the student?s status to the guarantee agency. Repeat Finding No. Recommendation I recommend that the University determine the student?s proper enrollment status and report the accurate status to the guarantee agency. Management Response It was brought to our attention that we are unable to update our third transmittal to NSC due an uploading error with Jenzabar. Once we were notified of this error, we began communicating with NSC to find an alternative route to submit the third transmittal. The third transmittal was submitted but we later learned that the file was rejected. Unfortunately during that time, the notification of the error message was inadvertently overlooked due to the challenges we were faced with during the recovery period of Hurricane Ida. To mitigate this from occurring in the future, we have discussed changing how and when our enrollment transmittal data will be reported. Furthermore, we had participated in training and scheduled additional training opportunities with Jenzabar to create an errorless transmittal process.