SPECIAL TESTS AND PROVISIONS – USING A SERVICER TO DELIVER TITLE IV CREDIT BALANCES TO A CARD OR OTHER ACCESS DEVICE
Bluefield State University, Blueridge Community & Technical College, Concord University, Mountwest Community and Technical College, Shepherd University, West Virginia Northern Commun...
SPECIAL TESTS AND PROVISIONS – USING A SERVICER TO DELIVER TITLE IV CREDIT BALANCES TO A CARD OR OTHER ACCESS DEVICE
Bluefield State University, Blueridge Community & Technical College, Concord University, Mountwest Community and Technical College, Shepherd University, West Virginia Northern Community College, and West Virginia University at Parkersburg
Assistance Listing Number 84.007, 84.033, 84.038, 84.063, 84.268, 84.379, 93.264, 93.342, 93.364
Bluefield State University (BSU) response
BSU will submit the URL of their contract with their third-party servicer and cost information to the U.S. Department of Education for their publication in the Cash Management Contracts Database by Friday, February 23, 2024. BSU will also implement a detailed due diligence review over the fees assessed by the third-party servicer of Title IV credit balances.
Blueridge Community & Technical College (BRCTC) response
We acknowledge that BRCTC did not have internal controls in place to review the contract with our third-party servicer of Title IV credit balances or obtain and review the third-party servicer’s Title IV compliance audit to ensure compliance with federal regulations. By February 2024, documents will be requested and an annual due diligence review will be performed and documented of the third-party servicer contract and compliance audit as well as review of fees assessed by the third-party servicer.
Concord University (CU) response
CU agrees with this finding and due to changes in personnel, this regulation was not followed. CU will review and document the review of the Cash Management Database annually to ensure the link is posted.
CU will review and document the review of other financial institutions charges compared against BankMobile’s fees annually. CU will annually review the servicer’s SOC report. CU will review BankMobile’s report, specifically looking for instances of noncompliance and internal control breaches. This will be documented annually.
Mountwest Community and Technical College (MCTC) response
Effective February 2024, MCTC will implement a review process to be conducted on an annual or monthly basis, as applicable, of all accounts opened with the Servicer during the specified timeframe. The "Activation & Preferences Report" available to management through the Servicers Administrator portal will be used to provide the data for review by management.
The review process will consist of the following:
• A request made of the servicer to provide a report of accounts opened with date/time stamp of consent to opening. Frequency: Monthly
• Review of "Activation & Preferences Report" validated against Servicer "Accounts Opened" report. Frequency: Monthly
• Generate a follow-up email to applicable students confirming the opening of the Servicer Account which will include an attachment of the Servicer "Terms and Conditions" and "Fee Schedules". Frequency: Monthly
• Review the Servicers' Client Contract and Profile site for accuracy and completeness of information. Frequency: Annually
• Review the Servicers' System and Organization Controls (SOC) and Compliance audits. Frequency: Annually
• Management will incorporate as part of its "Due Diligence and Attestation" copies of comparable banking institution fee schedules that are date/time stamped to serve as evidence of review.
Shepherd University (SU) response
By April 2024, SU will develop and maintain a checklist that will be periodically reviewed and signed off related to this finding, specifically: Annually, SU will be submitting the URL to the Department of Education related to the contracts between SU and BankMobile, reviewing compliance audits and SOC reports for BankMobile, recording areas of risk, and noting ways to mitigate the potential risk moving forward.
West Virginia Northern Community College (WVNCC) response
Beginning June 2024, during the annual review meeting between WVNCC and BankMobile (the servicer that delivers Title IV credit balances to students), WVNCC will obtain a copy of the BankMobile compliance audit. This will be kept on file within the Business Office for reference if needed. In addition, the budget committee will review annual the fees charged by BankMobile and attempt to compare them to other providers of similar services.
West Virginia University at Parkersburg (WVU-P) response
WVU-P has submitted a URL to the US Department of Education of our contract and cost information with our third-party servicer. This submission should correct this portion of the finding although it was done after the end of the fiscal year under audit but serves to correct the finding in subsequent periods. WVU-P will ensure compliance with the remaining items noted by creating a written internal control policy requiring the following:
• Verification of the required submission of the third-party contract with the Department of Education.
• Documentation of a due diligence review of the fees assessed by the third-party servicer.
• Obtain a copy of the annual compliance examination of the Title IV Programs. The 2022 report dated June 29, 2023, was received and reviewed by us for compliance with eligibility, systems, and internal controls, disbursements, Return of Title IV funds, and administrative requirements.
• Obtain a list of students whose refunds were disbursed by the third-party vendor and cross-reference it with a list of the students processed and sent to the third-party vendor by WVU-P. For those students who elected to open a checking account, WVU-P will review supporting documentation to indicate that the student gave proper consent.
These policies and procedures will be effective February 2024.