Lack of Administrative Capability Material Weakness DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.268, 84.063, 84.007, 84.033, 84.038, 84.379 (Student Financial Assistance Cluster) Federal Award Identification #: 2021-22 Financial Aid Year Condition: The administrative capability is currently below the required level for maintaining compliance with Title IV regulations. Criteria: 34 CFR 668.16 Questioned Costs: $47,676 Context: In the current year, we found several areas of noncompliance with the Department of Education regulations due to the complexity of administering financial aid for the various educational programs, the communication required between departments for appropriate administering of financial aid, and the number of enrolled students receiving financial aid. Cause: The financial aid department experienced turnover in staffing as well as changes in regulations in the same year while responding to the COVID-19 crisis and applicable waivers. The transmission of information from the online course platform to the financial aid system did not capture the needed information for compliance, and several critical processes required manual entry. Effect: Noncompliance with a number of Title IV regulations. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: Not applicable Recommendation: We recommend the University adjust the financial aid system and online course platform integration and create a cheat sheet of applicable COVID-19 waivers for each award year. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.
Return of Title IV (R2T4) Calculations Material Weakness DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.268, 84.063, 84.007, 84.379 Federal Award Identification #: 2021-22 Financial Aid Year Condition: The transmission of information from the online platform included activity that did not meet the definition of academic activity resulting in students not having a correct calculation performed. Additionally, the new modular regulations were not correctly applied. Criteria: 34 CFR 668.22 Questioned Costs: $29,626 Context: Out of 31 students, 16 students who withdrew during the audit period tested had an incorrect return or lack of return. Four students did not have academic activity as defined in the regulation for their online course, and all funds should be returned for that term. Nine students, of which the majority was online modular students not a meeting withdrawal exemption, did not complete past 60% of the semester and should have had funds returned. Two students did not have academic activity as defined in the regulations for an online course and should have had Pell recalculated. One student had an incorrect calculation due to an incorrect scheduled break calculation. Cause: The programming in the online platform for meeting the definition of academic activity was not accurately set up for the 2021-2022 award year and inadvertently included any activity such as just logging in. If the student attended a second module without completing the first module, all days of the first module were counted as attended instead of the actual attended days. There was an oversight in a calendar set up for a scheduled break as well as using the date of determination as the withdrawal date rather than the last date of attendance. Effect: Noncompliance with new R2T4 regulations regarding withdrawals from modular programs and incorrect returns. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: Not applicable Recommendation: We recommend the University adjust the programming of the transmission of confirming attendance be specific to the regulations. We further recommend that federal aid is not disbursed to a student until academic activity in a class has been confirmed. We recommend the last date of academic activity be shared with the financial aid team systematically so calculations on all 0 credit students can be done timely. Should a student not begin attendance in an online class, we recommend the Pell be recalculated and returned immediately. We further recommend an additional layer of review on the calendar set up process. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeals DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.268, 84.063, 84.007, 84.033, 84.379 Federal Award Identification #: 2021-22 Financial Aid Year Condition: The University missed requiring a formal satisfactory academic progress (SAP) appeals for one student. Criteria: 34 CFR 668.34(c) Questioned Costs: $7,676 Context: 1 student out of 12 tested was awarded federal aid but was ineligible due to not making SAP and did not have an approved appeal to reinstate eligibility. The University returned the federal aid during the audit process. Cause: There was an oversight of requiring an appeal for a student not making SAP. Effect: An ineligible student was awarded federal aid. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: Not applicable Recommendation: We recommend the University ensure those students who were not meeting SAP have an approved appeal documented prior to disbursing federal aid. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.
Verification DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.268, 84.063, 84.007, 84.033, 84.379 Federal Award Identification #: 2021-22 Financial Aid Year Condition: Students selected for V4 verification inappropriately had the full V1 waiver applied. Criteria: 34 CFR 668.56 Questioned Costs: $10,374 Context: Out of 6 tested for the V4 or V5 flag of verification, 2 students did not have a statement of educational purpose on file. These students were corrected during the audit process. Cause: The waiver for verification only applied to the V1 portion of the flag but was inadvertently applied to the whole V4 flag. Effect: These students were not eligible for federal aid. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: Not applicable. Recommendation: We recommend the University obtain the signed statement of educational purpose, ID, and required transcripts for the V4 flag prior to disbursing federal aid. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.
Lack of Administrative Capability Material Weakness DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.268, 84.063, 84.007, 84.033, 84.038, 84.379 (Student Financial Assistance Cluster) Federal Award Identification #: 2021-22 Financial Aid Year Condition: The administrative capability is currently below the required level for maintaining compliance with Title IV regulations. Criteria: 34 CFR 668.16 Questioned Costs: $47,676 Context: In the current year, we found several areas of noncompliance with the Department of Education regulations due to the complexity of administering financial aid for the various educational programs, the communication required between departments for appropriate administering of financial aid, and the number of enrolled students receiving financial aid. Cause: The financial aid department experienced turnover in staffing as well as changes in regulations in the same year while responding to the COVID-19 crisis and applicable waivers. The transmission of information from the online course platform to the financial aid system did not capture the needed information for compliance, and several critical processes required manual entry. Effect: Noncompliance with a number of Title IV regulations. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: Not applicable Recommendation: We recommend the University adjust the financial aid system and online course platform integration and create a cheat sheet of applicable COVID-19 waivers for each award year. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.
Return of Title IV (R2T4) Calculations Material Weakness DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.268, 84.063, 84.007, 84.379 Federal Award Identification #: 2021-22 Financial Aid Year Condition: The transmission of information from the online platform included activity that did not meet the definition of academic activity resulting in students not having a correct calculation performed. Additionally, the new modular regulations were not correctly applied. Criteria: 34 CFR 668.22 Questioned Costs: $29,626 Context: Out of 31 students, 16 students who withdrew during the audit period tested had an incorrect return or lack of return. Four students did not have academic activity as defined in the regulation for their online course, and all funds should be returned for that term. Nine students, of which the majority was online modular students not a meeting withdrawal exemption, did not complete past 60% of the semester and should have had funds returned. Two students did not have academic activity as defined in the regulations for an online course and should have had Pell recalculated. One student had an incorrect calculation due to an incorrect scheduled break calculation. Cause: The programming in the online platform for meeting the definition of academic activity was not accurately set up for the 2021-2022 award year and inadvertently included any activity such as just logging in. If the student attended a second module without completing the first module, all days of the first module were counted as attended instead of the actual attended days. There was an oversight in a calendar set up for a scheduled break as well as using the date of determination as the withdrawal date rather than the last date of attendance. Effect: Noncompliance with new R2T4 regulations regarding withdrawals from modular programs and incorrect returns. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: Not applicable Recommendation: We recommend the University adjust the programming of the transmission of confirming attendance be specific to the regulations. We further recommend that federal aid is not disbursed to a student until academic activity in a class has been confirmed. We recommend the last date of academic activity be shared with the financial aid team systematically so calculations on all 0 credit students can be done timely. Should a student not begin attendance in an online class, we recommend the Pell be recalculated and returned immediately. We further recommend an additional layer of review on the calendar set up process. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.
Incorrect Pell Calculations Significant Deficiency DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.063 Federal Award Identification #: 2021-22 Financial Aid Year Condition: 3 students out of 32 were not properly awarded Pell based on enrollment status. Criteria: 34 CFR 690.63(b) Questioned Costs: $-0- Context: Two students were student teaching in one semester and were not properly classified as traditional students during that semester, resulting in underawards of Pell of $2,018. Additionally, one student was incorrectly classified for the summer sessions and was underawarded Pell of $1,625. Cause: One financial aid counselor did not identify the transition in student type to apply the correct Pell formula. Effect: There was an incorrect amount of Pell paid to these three students. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: Not applicable Recommendation: We recommend a process be used to adjust the Pell formula used to be in alignment with the type of student for that semester. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeals DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.268, 84.063, 84.007, 84.033, 84.379 Federal Award Identification #: 2021-22 Financial Aid Year Condition: The University missed requiring a formal satisfactory academic progress (SAP) appeals for one student. Criteria: 34 CFR 668.34(c) Questioned Costs: $7,676 Context: 1 student out of 12 tested was awarded federal aid but was ineligible due to not making SAP and did not have an approved appeal to reinstate eligibility. The University returned the federal aid during the audit process. Cause: There was an oversight of requiring an appeal for a student not making SAP. Effect: An ineligible student was awarded federal aid. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: Not applicable Recommendation: We recommend the University ensure those students who were not meeting SAP have an approved appeal documented prior to disbursing federal aid. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.
Verification DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.268, 84.063, 84.007, 84.033, 84.379 Federal Award Identification #: 2021-22 Financial Aid Year Condition: Students selected for V4 verification inappropriately had the full V1 waiver applied. Criteria: 34 CFR 668.56 Questioned Costs: $10,374 Context: Out of 6 tested for the V4 or V5 flag of verification, 2 students did not have a statement of educational purpose on file. These students were corrected during the audit process. Cause: The waiver for verification only applied to the V1 portion of the flag but was inadvertently applied to the whole V4 flag. Effect: These students were not eligible for federal aid. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: Not applicable. Recommendation: We recommend the University obtain the signed statement of educational purpose, ID, and required transcripts for the V4 flag prior to disbursing federal aid. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.
Lack of Administrative Capability Material Weakness DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.268, 84.063, 84.007, 84.033, 84.038, 84.379 (Student Financial Assistance Cluster) Federal Award Identification #: 2021-22 Financial Aid Year Condition: The administrative capability is currently below the required level for maintaining compliance with Title IV regulations. Criteria: 34 CFR 668.16 Questioned Costs: $47,676 Context: In the current year, we found several areas of noncompliance with the Department of Education regulations due to the complexity of administering financial aid for the various educational programs, the communication required between departments for appropriate administering of financial aid, and the number of enrolled students receiving financial aid. Cause: The financial aid department experienced turnover in staffing as well as changes in regulations in the same year while responding to the COVID-19 crisis and applicable waivers. The transmission of information from the online course platform to the financial aid system did not capture the needed information for compliance, and several critical processes required manual entry. Effect: Noncompliance with a number of Title IV regulations. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: Not applicable Recommendation: We recommend the University adjust the financial aid system and online course platform integration and create a cheat sheet of applicable COVID-19 waivers for each award year. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.
Return of Title IV (R2T4) Calculations Material Weakness DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.268, 84.063, 84.007, 84.379 Federal Award Identification #: 2021-22 Financial Aid Year Condition: The transmission of information from the online platform included activity that did not meet the definition of academic activity resulting in students not having a correct calculation performed. Additionally, the new modular regulations were not correctly applied. Criteria: 34 CFR 668.22 Questioned Costs: $29,626 Context: Out of 31 students, 16 students who withdrew during the audit period tested had an incorrect return or lack of return. Four students did not have academic activity as defined in the regulation for their online course, and all funds should be returned for that term. Nine students, of which the majority was online modular students not a meeting withdrawal exemption, did not complete past 60% of the semester and should have had funds returned. Two students did not have academic activity as defined in the regulations for an online course and should have had Pell recalculated. One student had an incorrect calculation due to an incorrect scheduled break calculation. Cause: The programming in the online platform for meeting the definition of academic activity was not accurately set up for the 2021-2022 award year and inadvertently included any activity such as just logging in. If the student attended a second module without completing the first module, all days of the first module were counted as attended instead of the actual attended days. There was an oversight in a calendar set up for a scheduled break as well as using the date of determination as the withdrawal date rather than the last date of attendance. Effect: Noncompliance with new R2T4 regulations regarding withdrawals from modular programs and incorrect returns. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: Not applicable Recommendation: We recommend the University adjust the programming of the transmission of confirming attendance be specific to the regulations. We further recommend that federal aid is not disbursed to a student until academic activity in a class has been confirmed. We recommend the last date of academic activity be shared with the financial aid team systematically so calculations on all 0 credit students can be done timely. Should a student not begin attendance in an online class, we recommend the Pell be recalculated and returned immediately. We further recommend an additional layer of review on the calendar set up process. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeals DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.268, 84.063, 84.007, 84.033, 84.379 Federal Award Identification #: 2021-22 Financial Aid Year Condition: The University missed requiring a formal satisfactory academic progress (SAP) appeals for one student. Criteria: 34 CFR 668.34(c) Questioned Costs: $7,676 Context: 1 student out of 12 tested was awarded federal aid but was ineligible due to not making SAP and did not have an approved appeal to reinstate eligibility. The University returned the federal aid during the audit process. Cause: There was an oversight of requiring an appeal for a student not making SAP. Effect: An ineligible student was awarded federal aid. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: Not applicable Recommendation: We recommend the University ensure those students who were not meeting SAP have an approved appeal documented prior to disbursing federal aid. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.
Verification DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.268, 84.063, 84.007, 84.033, 84.379 Federal Award Identification #: 2021-22 Financial Aid Year Condition: Students selected for V4 verification inappropriately had the full V1 waiver applied. Criteria: 34 CFR 668.56 Questioned Costs: $10,374 Context: Out of 6 tested for the V4 or V5 flag of verification, 2 students did not have a statement of educational purpose on file. These students were corrected during the audit process. Cause: The waiver for verification only applied to the V1 portion of the flag but was inadvertently applied to the whole V4 flag. Effect: These students were not eligible for federal aid. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: Not applicable. Recommendation: We recommend the University obtain the signed statement of educational purpose, ID, and required transcripts for the V4 flag prior to disbursing federal aid. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.
Lack of Administrative Capability Material Weakness DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.268, 84.063, 84.007, 84.033, 84.038, 84.379 (Student Financial Assistance Cluster) Federal Award Identification #: 2021-22 Financial Aid Year Condition: The administrative capability is currently below the required level for maintaining compliance with Title IV regulations. Criteria: 34 CFR 668.16 Questioned Costs: $47,676 Context: In the current year, we found several areas of noncompliance with the Department of Education regulations due to the complexity of administering financial aid for the various educational programs, the communication required between departments for appropriate administering of financial aid, and the number of enrolled students receiving financial aid. Cause: The financial aid department experienced turnover in staffing as well as changes in regulations in the same year while responding to the COVID-19 crisis and applicable waivers. The transmission of information from the online course platform to the financial aid system did not capture the needed information for compliance, and several critical processes required manual entry. Effect: Noncompliance with a number of Title IV regulations. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: Not applicable Recommendation: We recommend the University adjust the financial aid system and online course platform integration and create a cheat sheet of applicable COVID-19 waivers for each award year. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeals DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.268, 84.063, 84.007, 84.033, 84.379 Federal Award Identification #: 2021-22 Financial Aid Year Condition: The University missed requiring a formal satisfactory academic progress (SAP) appeals for one student. Criteria: 34 CFR 668.34(c) Questioned Costs: $7,676 Context: 1 student out of 12 tested was awarded federal aid but was ineligible due to not making SAP and did not have an approved appeal to reinstate eligibility. The University returned the federal aid during the audit process. Cause: There was an oversight of requiring an appeal for a student not making SAP. Effect: An ineligible student was awarded federal aid. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: Not applicable Recommendation: We recommend the University ensure those students who were not meeting SAP have an approved appeal documented prior to disbursing federal aid. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.
Verification DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.268, 84.063, 84.007, 84.033, 84.379 Federal Award Identification #: 2021-22 Financial Aid Year Condition: Students selected for V4 verification inappropriately had the full V1 waiver applied. Criteria: 34 CFR 668.56 Questioned Costs: $10,374 Context: Out of 6 tested for the V4 or V5 flag of verification, 2 students did not have a statement of educational purpose on file. These students were corrected during the audit process. Cause: The waiver for verification only applied to the V1 portion of the flag but was inadvertently applied to the whole V4 flag. Effect: These students were not eligible for federal aid. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: Not applicable. Recommendation: We recommend the University obtain the signed statement of educational purpose, ID, and required transcripts for the V4 flag prior to disbursing federal aid. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.
Lack of Administrative Capability Material Weakness DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.268, 84.063, 84.007, 84.033, 84.038, 84.379 (Student Financial Assistance Cluster) Federal Award Identification #: 2021-22 Financial Aid Year Condition: The administrative capability is currently below the required level for maintaining compliance with Title IV regulations. Criteria: 34 CFR 668.16 Questioned Costs: $47,676 Context: In the current year, we found several areas of noncompliance with the Department of Education regulations due to the complexity of administering financial aid for the various educational programs, the communication required between departments for appropriate administering of financial aid, and the number of enrolled students receiving financial aid. Cause: The financial aid department experienced turnover in staffing as well as changes in regulations in the same year while responding to the COVID-19 crisis and applicable waivers. The transmission of information from the online course platform to the financial aid system did not capture the needed information for compliance, and several critical processes required manual entry. Effect: Noncompliance with a number of Title IV regulations. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: Not applicable Recommendation: We recommend the University adjust the financial aid system and online course platform integration and create a cheat sheet of applicable COVID-19 waivers for each award year. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.
Lack of Administrative Capability Material Weakness DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.268, 84.063, 84.007, 84.033, 84.038, 84.379 (Student Financial Assistance Cluster) Federal Award Identification #: 2021-22 Financial Aid Year Condition: The administrative capability is currently below the required level for maintaining compliance with Title IV regulations. Criteria: 34 CFR 668.16 Questioned Costs: $47,676 Context: In the current year, we found several areas of noncompliance with the Department of Education regulations due to the complexity of administering financial aid for the various educational programs, the communication required between departments for appropriate administering of financial aid, and the number of enrolled students receiving financial aid. Cause: The financial aid department experienced turnover in staffing as well as changes in regulations in the same year while responding to the COVID-19 crisis and applicable waivers. The transmission of information from the online course platform to the financial aid system did not capture the needed information for compliance, and several critical processes required manual entry. Effect: Noncompliance with a number of Title IV regulations. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: Not applicable Recommendation: We recommend the University adjust the financial aid system and online course platform integration and create a cheat sheet of applicable COVID-19 waivers for each award year. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.
Return of Title IV (R2T4) Calculations Material Weakness DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.268, 84.063, 84.007, 84.379 Federal Award Identification #: 2021-22 Financial Aid Year Condition: The transmission of information from the online platform included activity that did not meet the definition of academic activity resulting in students not having a correct calculation performed. Additionally, the new modular regulations were not correctly applied. Criteria: 34 CFR 668.22 Questioned Costs: $29,626 Context: Out of 31 students, 16 students who withdrew during the audit period tested had an incorrect return or lack of return. Four students did not have academic activity as defined in the regulation for their online course, and all funds should be returned for that term. Nine students, of which the majority was online modular students not a meeting withdrawal exemption, did not complete past 60% of the semester and should have had funds returned. Two students did not have academic activity as defined in the regulations for an online course and should have had Pell recalculated. One student had an incorrect calculation due to an incorrect scheduled break calculation. Cause: The programming in the online platform for meeting the definition of academic activity was not accurately set up for the 2021-2022 award year and inadvertently included any activity such as just logging in. If the student attended a second module without completing the first module, all days of the first module were counted as attended instead of the actual attended days. There was an oversight in a calendar set up for a scheduled break as well as using the date of determination as the withdrawal date rather than the last date of attendance. Effect: Noncompliance with new R2T4 regulations regarding withdrawals from modular programs and incorrect returns. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: Not applicable Recommendation: We recommend the University adjust the programming of the transmission of confirming attendance be specific to the regulations. We further recommend that federal aid is not disbursed to a student until academic activity in a class has been confirmed. We recommend the last date of academic activity be shared with the financial aid team systematically so calculations on all 0 credit students can be done timely. Should a student not begin attendance in an online class, we recommend the Pell be recalculated and returned immediately. We further recommend an additional layer of review on the calendar set up process. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeals DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.268, 84.063, 84.007, 84.033, 84.379 Federal Award Identification #: 2021-22 Financial Aid Year Condition: The University missed requiring a formal satisfactory academic progress (SAP) appeals for one student. Criteria: 34 CFR 668.34(c) Questioned Costs: $7,676 Context: 1 student out of 12 tested was awarded federal aid but was ineligible due to not making SAP and did not have an approved appeal to reinstate eligibility. The University returned the federal aid during the audit process. Cause: There was an oversight of requiring an appeal for a student not making SAP. Effect: An ineligible student was awarded federal aid. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: Not applicable Recommendation: We recommend the University ensure those students who were not meeting SAP have an approved appeal documented prior to disbursing federal aid. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.
Verification DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.268, 84.063, 84.007, 84.033, 84.379 Federal Award Identification #: 2021-22 Financial Aid Year Condition: Students selected for V4 verification inappropriately had the full V1 waiver applied. Criteria: 34 CFR 668.56 Questioned Costs: $10,374 Context: Out of 6 tested for the V4 or V5 flag of verification, 2 students did not have a statement of educational purpose on file. These students were corrected during the audit process. Cause: The waiver for verification only applied to the V1 portion of the flag but was inadvertently applied to the whole V4 flag. Effect: These students were not eligible for federal aid. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: Not applicable. Recommendation: We recommend the University obtain the signed statement of educational purpose, ID, and required transcripts for the V4 flag prior to disbursing federal aid. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.
Higher Education Stabilization Fund Reporting Material Weakness DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.425E, 84.425F, 84.425L Federal Award Identification #: P425E202018, P425F202629, P425L200204 Condition: The University did not accurately report their student grant information and institutional expenditures on the HEERF Annual Report for the calendar year 2021. Criteria: 2 CFR 200.329 Questioned Costs: $-0- Context: During the audit, it was identified that the University did not accurately report the total student grants and institutional expenses in the HEERF annual report. The University reviewed what was reported and corrected the report during the audit process. Cause: There was a transition in the key personnel completing the annual report, and part of the information used did not have the correct parameters for the calendar year 2021. Effect: The amounts reported on the annual report to the Department did not agree to the underlying records of the University or the quarterly reports prepared by the University. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: Not applicable. Recommendation: We recommend the University amend the 2021 annual report when the 2022 reporting cycle opens up the portal. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.
Higher Education Stabilization Fund Reporting Material Weakness DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.425E, 84.425F, 84.425L Federal Award Identification #: P425E202018, P425F202629, P425L200204 Condition: The University did not accurately report their student grant information and institutional expenditures on the HEERF Annual Report for the calendar year 2021. Criteria: 2 CFR 200.329 Questioned Costs: $-0- Context: During the audit, it was identified that the University did not accurately report the total student grants and institutional expenses in the HEERF annual report. The University reviewed what was reported and corrected the report during the audit process. Cause: There was a transition in the key personnel completing the annual report, and part of the information used did not have the correct parameters for the calendar year 2021. Effect: The amounts reported on the annual report to the Department did not agree to the underlying records of the University or the quarterly reports prepared by the University. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: Not applicable. Recommendation: We recommend the University amend the 2021 annual report when the 2022 reporting cycle opens up the portal. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.
Higher Education Stabilization Fund Reporting Material Weakness DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.425E, 84.425F, 84.425L Federal Award Identification #: P425E202018, P425F202629, P425L200204 Condition: The University did not accurately report their student grant information and institutional expenditures on the HEERF Annual Report for the calendar year 2021. Criteria: 2 CFR 200.329 Questioned Costs: $-0- Context: During the audit, it was identified that the University did not accurately report the total student grants and institutional expenses in the HEERF annual report. The University reviewed what was reported and corrected the report during the audit process. Cause: There was a transition in the key personnel completing the annual report, and part of the information used did not have the correct parameters for the calendar year 2021. Effect: The amounts reported on the annual report to the Department did not agree to the underlying records of the University or the quarterly reports prepared by the University. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: Not applicable. Recommendation: We recommend the University amend the 2021 annual report when the 2022 reporting cycle opens up the portal. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.
Lack of Administrative Capability Material Weakness DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.268, 84.063, 84.007, 84.033, 84.038, 84.379 (Student Financial Assistance Cluster) Federal Award Identification #: 2021-22 Financial Aid Year Condition: The administrative capability is currently below the required level for maintaining compliance with Title IV regulations. Criteria: 34 CFR 668.16 Questioned Costs: $47,676 Context: In the current year, we found several areas of noncompliance with the Department of Education regulations due to the complexity of administering financial aid for the various educational programs, the communication required between departments for appropriate administering of financial aid, and the number of enrolled students receiving financial aid. Cause: The financial aid department experienced turnover in staffing as well as changes in regulations in the same year while responding to the COVID-19 crisis and applicable waivers. The transmission of information from the online course platform to the financial aid system did not capture the needed information for compliance, and several critical processes required manual entry. Effect: Noncompliance with a number of Title IV regulations. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: Not applicable Recommendation: We recommend the University adjust the financial aid system and online course platform integration and create a cheat sheet of applicable COVID-19 waivers for each award year. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.
Return of Title IV (R2T4) Calculations Material Weakness DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.268, 84.063, 84.007, 84.379 Federal Award Identification #: 2021-22 Financial Aid Year Condition: The transmission of information from the online platform included activity that did not meet the definition of academic activity resulting in students not having a correct calculation performed. Additionally, the new modular regulations were not correctly applied. Criteria: 34 CFR 668.22 Questioned Costs: $29,626 Context: Out of 31 students, 16 students who withdrew during the audit period tested had an incorrect return or lack of return. Four students did not have academic activity as defined in the regulation for their online course, and all funds should be returned for that term. Nine students, of which the majority was online modular students not a meeting withdrawal exemption, did not complete past 60% of the semester and should have had funds returned. Two students did not have academic activity as defined in the regulations for an online course and should have had Pell recalculated. One student had an incorrect calculation due to an incorrect scheduled break calculation. Cause: The programming in the online platform for meeting the definition of academic activity was not accurately set up for the 2021-2022 award year and inadvertently included any activity such as just logging in. If the student attended a second module without completing the first module, all days of the first module were counted as attended instead of the actual attended days. There was an oversight in a calendar set up for a scheduled break as well as using the date of determination as the withdrawal date rather than the last date of attendance. Effect: Noncompliance with new R2T4 regulations regarding withdrawals from modular programs and incorrect returns. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: Not applicable Recommendation: We recommend the University adjust the programming of the transmission of confirming attendance be specific to the regulations. We further recommend that federal aid is not disbursed to a student until academic activity in a class has been confirmed. We recommend the last date of academic activity be shared with the financial aid team systematically so calculations on all 0 credit students can be done timely. Should a student not begin attendance in an online class, we recommend the Pell be recalculated and returned immediately. We further recommend an additional layer of review on the calendar set up process. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeals DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.268, 84.063, 84.007, 84.033, 84.379 Federal Award Identification #: 2021-22 Financial Aid Year Condition: The University missed requiring a formal satisfactory academic progress (SAP) appeals for one student. Criteria: 34 CFR 668.34(c) Questioned Costs: $7,676 Context: 1 student out of 12 tested was awarded federal aid but was ineligible due to not making SAP and did not have an approved appeal to reinstate eligibility. The University returned the federal aid during the audit process. Cause: There was an oversight of requiring an appeal for a student not making SAP. Effect: An ineligible student was awarded federal aid. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: Not applicable Recommendation: We recommend the University ensure those students who were not meeting SAP have an approved appeal documented prior to disbursing federal aid. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.
Verification DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.268, 84.063, 84.007, 84.033, 84.379 Federal Award Identification #: 2021-22 Financial Aid Year Condition: Students selected for V4 verification inappropriately had the full V1 waiver applied. Criteria: 34 CFR 668.56 Questioned Costs: $10,374 Context: Out of 6 tested for the V4 or V5 flag of verification, 2 students did not have a statement of educational purpose on file. These students were corrected during the audit process. Cause: The waiver for verification only applied to the V1 portion of the flag but was inadvertently applied to the whole V4 flag. Effect: These students were not eligible for federal aid. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: Not applicable. Recommendation: We recommend the University obtain the signed statement of educational purpose, ID, and required transcripts for the V4 flag prior to disbursing federal aid. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.
Lack of Administrative Capability Material Weakness DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.268, 84.063, 84.007, 84.033, 84.038, 84.379 (Student Financial Assistance Cluster) Federal Award Identification #: 2021-22 Financial Aid Year Condition: The administrative capability is currently below the required level for maintaining compliance with Title IV regulations. Criteria: 34 CFR 668.16 Questioned Costs: $47,676 Context: In the current year, we found several areas of noncompliance with the Department of Education regulations due to the complexity of administering financial aid for the various educational programs, the communication required between departments for appropriate administering of financial aid, and the number of enrolled students receiving financial aid. Cause: The financial aid department experienced turnover in staffing as well as changes in regulations in the same year while responding to the COVID-19 crisis and applicable waivers. The transmission of information from the online course platform to the financial aid system did not capture the needed information for compliance, and several critical processes required manual entry. Effect: Noncompliance with a number of Title IV regulations. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: Not applicable Recommendation: We recommend the University adjust the financial aid system and online course platform integration and create a cheat sheet of applicable COVID-19 waivers for each award year. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.
Return of Title IV (R2T4) Calculations Material Weakness DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.268, 84.063, 84.007, 84.379 Federal Award Identification #: 2021-22 Financial Aid Year Condition: The transmission of information from the online platform included activity that did not meet the definition of academic activity resulting in students not having a correct calculation performed. Additionally, the new modular regulations were not correctly applied. Criteria: 34 CFR 668.22 Questioned Costs: $29,626 Context: Out of 31 students, 16 students who withdrew during the audit period tested had an incorrect return or lack of return. Four students did not have academic activity as defined in the regulation for their online course, and all funds should be returned for that term. Nine students, of which the majority was online modular students not a meeting withdrawal exemption, did not complete past 60% of the semester and should have had funds returned. Two students did not have academic activity as defined in the regulations for an online course and should have had Pell recalculated. One student had an incorrect calculation due to an incorrect scheduled break calculation. Cause: The programming in the online platform for meeting the definition of academic activity was not accurately set up for the 2021-2022 award year and inadvertently included any activity such as just logging in. If the student attended a second module without completing the first module, all days of the first module were counted as attended instead of the actual attended days. There was an oversight in a calendar set up for a scheduled break as well as using the date of determination as the withdrawal date rather than the last date of attendance. Effect: Noncompliance with new R2T4 regulations regarding withdrawals from modular programs and incorrect returns. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: Not applicable Recommendation: We recommend the University adjust the programming of the transmission of confirming attendance be specific to the regulations. We further recommend that federal aid is not disbursed to a student until academic activity in a class has been confirmed. We recommend the last date of academic activity be shared with the financial aid team systematically so calculations on all 0 credit students can be done timely. Should a student not begin attendance in an online class, we recommend the Pell be recalculated and returned immediately. We further recommend an additional layer of review on the calendar set up process. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.
Incorrect Pell Calculations Significant Deficiency DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.063 Federal Award Identification #: 2021-22 Financial Aid Year Condition: 3 students out of 32 were not properly awarded Pell based on enrollment status. Criteria: 34 CFR 690.63(b) Questioned Costs: $-0- Context: Two students were student teaching in one semester and were not properly classified as traditional students during that semester, resulting in underawards of Pell of $2,018. Additionally, one student was incorrectly classified for the summer sessions and was underawarded Pell of $1,625. Cause: One financial aid counselor did not identify the transition in student type to apply the correct Pell formula. Effect: There was an incorrect amount of Pell paid to these three students. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: Not applicable Recommendation: We recommend a process be used to adjust the Pell formula used to be in alignment with the type of student for that semester. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeals DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.268, 84.063, 84.007, 84.033, 84.379 Federal Award Identification #: 2021-22 Financial Aid Year Condition: The University missed requiring a formal satisfactory academic progress (SAP) appeals for one student. Criteria: 34 CFR 668.34(c) Questioned Costs: $7,676 Context: 1 student out of 12 tested was awarded federal aid but was ineligible due to not making SAP and did not have an approved appeal to reinstate eligibility. The University returned the federal aid during the audit process. Cause: There was an oversight of requiring an appeal for a student not making SAP. Effect: An ineligible student was awarded federal aid. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: Not applicable Recommendation: We recommend the University ensure those students who were not meeting SAP have an approved appeal documented prior to disbursing federal aid. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.
Verification DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.268, 84.063, 84.007, 84.033, 84.379 Federal Award Identification #: 2021-22 Financial Aid Year Condition: Students selected for V4 verification inappropriately had the full V1 waiver applied. Criteria: 34 CFR 668.56 Questioned Costs: $10,374 Context: Out of 6 tested for the V4 or V5 flag of verification, 2 students did not have a statement of educational purpose on file. These students were corrected during the audit process. Cause: The waiver for verification only applied to the V1 portion of the flag but was inadvertently applied to the whole V4 flag. Effect: These students were not eligible for federal aid. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: Not applicable. Recommendation: We recommend the University obtain the signed statement of educational purpose, ID, and required transcripts for the V4 flag prior to disbursing federal aid. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.
Lack of Administrative Capability Material Weakness DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.268, 84.063, 84.007, 84.033, 84.038, 84.379 (Student Financial Assistance Cluster) Federal Award Identification #: 2021-22 Financial Aid Year Condition: The administrative capability is currently below the required level for maintaining compliance with Title IV regulations. Criteria: 34 CFR 668.16 Questioned Costs: $47,676 Context: In the current year, we found several areas of noncompliance with the Department of Education regulations due to the complexity of administering financial aid for the various educational programs, the communication required between departments for appropriate administering of financial aid, and the number of enrolled students receiving financial aid. Cause: The financial aid department experienced turnover in staffing as well as changes in regulations in the same year while responding to the COVID-19 crisis and applicable waivers. The transmission of information from the online course platform to the financial aid system did not capture the needed information for compliance, and several critical processes required manual entry. Effect: Noncompliance with a number of Title IV regulations. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: Not applicable Recommendation: We recommend the University adjust the financial aid system and online course platform integration and create a cheat sheet of applicable COVID-19 waivers for each award year. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.
Return of Title IV (R2T4) Calculations Material Weakness DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.268, 84.063, 84.007, 84.379 Federal Award Identification #: 2021-22 Financial Aid Year Condition: The transmission of information from the online platform included activity that did not meet the definition of academic activity resulting in students not having a correct calculation performed. Additionally, the new modular regulations were not correctly applied. Criteria: 34 CFR 668.22 Questioned Costs: $29,626 Context: Out of 31 students, 16 students who withdrew during the audit period tested had an incorrect return or lack of return. Four students did not have academic activity as defined in the regulation for their online course, and all funds should be returned for that term. Nine students, of which the majority was online modular students not a meeting withdrawal exemption, did not complete past 60% of the semester and should have had funds returned. Two students did not have academic activity as defined in the regulations for an online course and should have had Pell recalculated. One student had an incorrect calculation due to an incorrect scheduled break calculation. Cause: The programming in the online platform for meeting the definition of academic activity was not accurately set up for the 2021-2022 award year and inadvertently included any activity such as just logging in. If the student attended a second module without completing the first module, all days of the first module were counted as attended instead of the actual attended days. There was an oversight in a calendar set up for a scheduled break as well as using the date of determination as the withdrawal date rather than the last date of attendance. Effect: Noncompliance with new R2T4 regulations regarding withdrawals from modular programs and incorrect returns. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: Not applicable Recommendation: We recommend the University adjust the programming of the transmission of confirming attendance be specific to the regulations. We further recommend that federal aid is not disbursed to a student until academic activity in a class has been confirmed. We recommend the last date of academic activity be shared with the financial aid team systematically so calculations on all 0 credit students can be done timely. Should a student not begin attendance in an online class, we recommend the Pell be recalculated and returned immediately. We further recommend an additional layer of review on the calendar set up process. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeals DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.268, 84.063, 84.007, 84.033, 84.379 Federal Award Identification #: 2021-22 Financial Aid Year Condition: The University missed requiring a formal satisfactory academic progress (SAP) appeals for one student. Criteria: 34 CFR 668.34(c) Questioned Costs: $7,676 Context: 1 student out of 12 tested was awarded federal aid but was ineligible due to not making SAP and did not have an approved appeal to reinstate eligibility. The University returned the federal aid during the audit process. Cause: There was an oversight of requiring an appeal for a student not making SAP. Effect: An ineligible student was awarded federal aid. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: Not applicable Recommendation: We recommend the University ensure those students who were not meeting SAP have an approved appeal documented prior to disbursing federal aid. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.
Verification DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.268, 84.063, 84.007, 84.033, 84.379 Federal Award Identification #: 2021-22 Financial Aid Year Condition: Students selected for V4 verification inappropriately had the full V1 waiver applied. Criteria: 34 CFR 668.56 Questioned Costs: $10,374 Context: Out of 6 tested for the V4 or V5 flag of verification, 2 students did not have a statement of educational purpose on file. These students were corrected during the audit process. Cause: The waiver for verification only applied to the V1 portion of the flag but was inadvertently applied to the whole V4 flag. Effect: These students were not eligible for federal aid. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: Not applicable. Recommendation: We recommend the University obtain the signed statement of educational purpose, ID, and required transcripts for the V4 flag prior to disbursing federal aid. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.
Lack of Administrative Capability Material Weakness DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.268, 84.063, 84.007, 84.033, 84.038, 84.379 (Student Financial Assistance Cluster) Federal Award Identification #: 2021-22 Financial Aid Year Condition: The administrative capability is currently below the required level for maintaining compliance with Title IV regulations. Criteria: 34 CFR 668.16 Questioned Costs: $47,676 Context: In the current year, we found several areas of noncompliance with the Department of Education regulations due to the complexity of administering financial aid for the various educational programs, the communication required between departments for appropriate administering of financial aid, and the number of enrolled students receiving financial aid. Cause: The financial aid department experienced turnover in staffing as well as changes in regulations in the same year while responding to the COVID-19 crisis and applicable waivers. The transmission of information from the online course platform to the financial aid system did not capture the needed information for compliance, and several critical processes required manual entry. Effect: Noncompliance with a number of Title IV regulations. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: Not applicable Recommendation: We recommend the University adjust the financial aid system and online course platform integration and create a cheat sheet of applicable COVID-19 waivers for each award year. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeals DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.268, 84.063, 84.007, 84.033, 84.379 Federal Award Identification #: 2021-22 Financial Aid Year Condition: The University missed requiring a formal satisfactory academic progress (SAP) appeals for one student. Criteria: 34 CFR 668.34(c) Questioned Costs: $7,676 Context: 1 student out of 12 tested was awarded federal aid but was ineligible due to not making SAP and did not have an approved appeal to reinstate eligibility. The University returned the federal aid during the audit process. Cause: There was an oversight of requiring an appeal for a student not making SAP. Effect: An ineligible student was awarded federal aid. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: Not applicable Recommendation: We recommend the University ensure those students who were not meeting SAP have an approved appeal documented prior to disbursing federal aid. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.
Verification DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.268, 84.063, 84.007, 84.033, 84.379 Federal Award Identification #: 2021-22 Financial Aid Year Condition: Students selected for V4 verification inappropriately had the full V1 waiver applied. Criteria: 34 CFR 668.56 Questioned Costs: $10,374 Context: Out of 6 tested for the V4 or V5 flag of verification, 2 students did not have a statement of educational purpose on file. These students were corrected during the audit process. Cause: The waiver for verification only applied to the V1 portion of the flag but was inadvertently applied to the whole V4 flag. Effect: These students were not eligible for federal aid. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: Not applicable. Recommendation: We recommend the University obtain the signed statement of educational purpose, ID, and required transcripts for the V4 flag prior to disbursing federal aid. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.
Lack of Administrative Capability Material Weakness DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.268, 84.063, 84.007, 84.033, 84.038, 84.379 (Student Financial Assistance Cluster) Federal Award Identification #: 2021-22 Financial Aid Year Condition: The administrative capability is currently below the required level for maintaining compliance with Title IV regulations. Criteria: 34 CFR 668.16 Questioned Costs: $47,676 Context: In the current year, we found several areas of noncompliance with the Department of Education regulations due to the complexity of administering financial aid for the various educational programs, the communication required between departments for appropriate administering of financial aid, and the number of enrolled students receiving financial aid. Cause: The financial aid department experienced turnover in staffing as well as changes in regulations in the same year while responding to the COVID-19 crisis and applicable waivers. The transmission of information from the online course platform to the financial aid system did not capture the needed information for compliance, and several critical processes required manual entry. Effect: Noncompliance with a number of Title IV regulations. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: Not applicable Recommendation: We recommend the University adjust the financial aid system and online course platform integration and create a cheat sheet of applicable COVID-19 waivers for each award year. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.
Lack of Administrative Capability Material Weakness DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.268, 84.063, 84.007, 84.033, 84.038, 84.379 (Student Financial Assistance Cluster) Federal Award Identification #: 2021-22 Financial Aid Year Condition: The administrative capability is currently below the required level for maintaining compliance with Title IV regulations. Criteria: 34 CFR 668.16 Questioned Costs: $47,676 Context: In the current year, we found several areas of noncompliance with the Department of Education regulations due to the complexity of administering financial aid for the various educational programs, the communication required between departments for appropriate administering of financial aid, and the number of enrolled students receiving financial aid. Cause: The financial aid department experienced turnover in staffing as well as changes in regulations in the same year while responding to the COVID-19 crisis and applicable waivers. The transmission of information from the online course platform to the financial aid system did not capture the needed information for compliance, and several critical processes required manual entry. Effect: Noncompliance with a number of Title IV regulations. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: Not applicable Recommendation: We recommend the University adjust the financial aid system and online course platform integration and create a cheat sheet of applicable COVID-19 waivers for each award year. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.
Return of Title IV (R2T4) Calculations Material Weakness DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.268, 84.063, 84.007, 84.379 Federal Award Identification #: 2021-22 Financial Aid Year Condition: The transmission of information from the online platform included activity that did not meet the definition of academic activity resulting in students not having a correct calculation performed. Additionally, the new modular regulations were not correctly applied. Criteria: 34 CFR 668.22 Questioned Costs: $29,626 Context: Out of 31 students, 16 students who withdrew during the audit period tested had an incorrect return or lack of return. Four students did not have academic activity as defined in the regulation for their online course, and all funds should be returned for that term. Nine students, of which the majority was online modular students not a meeting withdrawal exemption, did not complete past 60% of the semester and should have had funds returned. Two students did not have academic activity as defined in the regulations for an online course and should have had Pell recalculated. One student had an incorrect calculation due to an incorrect scheduled break calculation. Cause: The programming in the online platform for meeting the definition of academic activity was not accurately set up for the 2021-2022 award year and inadvertently included any activity such as just logging in. If the student attended a second module without completing the first module, all days of the first module were counted as attended instead of the actual attended days. There was an oversight in a calendar set up for a scheduled break as well as using the date of determination as the withdrawal date rather than the last date of attendance. Effect: Noncompliance with new R2T4 regulations regarding withdrawals from modular programs and incorrect returns. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: Not applicable Recommendation: We recommend the University adjust the programming of the transmission of confirming attendance be specific to the regulations. We further recommend that federal aid is not disbursed to a student until academic activity in a class has been confirmed. We recommend the last date of academic activity be shared with the financial aid team systematically so calculations on all 0 credit students can be done timely. Should a student not begin attendance in an online class, we recommend the Pell be recalculated and returned immediately. We further recommend an additional layer of review on the calendar set up process. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeals DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.268, 84.063, 84.007, 84.033, 84.379 Federal Award Identification #: 2021-22 Financial Aid Year Condition: The University missed requiring a formal satisfactory academic progress (SAP) appeals for one student. Criteria: 34 CFR 668.34(c) Questioned Costs: $7,676 Context: 1 student out of 12 tested was awarded federal aid but was ineligible due to not making SAP and did not have an approved appeal to reinstate eligibility. The University returned the federal aid during the audit process. Cause: There was an oversight of requiring an appeal for a student not making SAP. Effect: An ineligible student was awarded federal aid. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: Not applicable Recommendation: We recommend the University ensure those students who were not meeting SAP have an approved appeal documented prior to disbursing federal aid. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.
Verification DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.268, 84.063, 84.007, 84.033, 84.379 Federal Award Identification #: 2021-22 Financial Aid Year Condition: Students selected for V4 verification inappropriately had the full V1 waiver applied. Criteria: 34 CFR 668.56 Questioned Costs: $10,374 Context: Out of 6 tested for the V4 or V5 flag of verification, 2 students did not have a statement of educational purpose on file. These students were corrected during the audit process. Cause: The waiver for verification only applied to the V1 portion of the flag but was inadvertently applied to the whole V4 flag. Effect: These students were not eligible for federal aid. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: Not applicable. Recommendation: We recommend the University obtain the signed statement of educational purpose, ID, and required transcripts for the V4 flag prior to disbursing federal aid. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.
Higher Education Stabilization Fund Reporting Material Weakness DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.425E, 84.425F, 84.425L Federal Award Identification #: P425E202018, P425F202629, P425L200204 Condition: The University did not accurately report their student grant information and institutional expenditures on the HEERF Annual Report for the calendar year 2021. Criteria: 2 CFR 200.329 Questioned Costs: $-0- Context: During the audit, it was identified that the University did not accurately report the total student grants and institutional expenses in the HEERF annual report. The University reviewed what was reported and corrected the report during the audit process. Cause: There was a transition in the key personnel completing the annual report, and part of the information used did not have the correct parameters for the calendar year 2021. Effect: The amounts reported on the annual report to the Department did not agree to the underlying records of the University or the quarterly reports prepared by the University. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: Not applicable. Recommendation: We recommend the University amend the 2021 annual report when the 2022 reporting cycle opens up the portal. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.
Higher Education Stabilization Fund Reporting Material Weakness DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.425E, 84.425F, 84.425L Federal Award Identification #: P425E202018, P425F202629, P425L200204 Condition: The University did not accurately report their student grant information and institutional expenditures on the HEERF Annual Report for the calendar year 2021. Criteria: 2 CFR 200.329 Questioned Costs: $-0- Context: During the audit, it was identified that the University did not accurately report the total student grants and institutional expenses in the HEERF annual report. The University reviewed what was reported and corrected the report during the audit process. Cause: There was a transition in the key personnel completing the annual report, and part of the information used did not have the correct parameters for the calendar year 2021. Effect: The amounts reported on the annual report to the Department did not agree to the underlying records of the University or the quarterly reports prepared by the University. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: Not applicable. Recommendation: We recommend the University amend the 2021 annual report when the 2022 reporting cycle opens up the portal. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.
Higher Education Stabilization Fund Reporting Material Weakness DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.425E, 84.425F, 84.425L Federal Award Identification #: P425E202018, P425F202629, P425L200204 Condition: The University did not accurately report their student grant information and institutional expenditures on the HEERF Annual Report for the calendar year 2021. Criteria: 2 CFR 200.329 Questioned Costs: $-0- Context: During the audit, it was identified that the University did not accurately report the total student grants and institutional expenses in the HEERF annual report. The University reviewed what was reported and corrected the report during the audit process. Cause: There was a transition in the key personnel completing the annual report, and part of the information used did not have the correct parameters for the calendar year 2021. Effect: The amounts reported on the annual report to the Department did not agree to the underlying records of the University or the quarterly reports prepared by the University. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: Not applicable. Recommendation: We recommend the University amend the 2021 annual report when the 2022 reporting cycle opens up the portal. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.