2023-001 – Pell Grant Calculation. Auditor Description of Condition and Effect. The Uniform Guidance states that the College must determine the maximum scheduled award a student would receive based on their Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and Cost of Attendance (COA) using the payment schedule pr...
2023-001 – Pell Grant Calculation. Auditor Description of Condition and Effect. The Uniform Guidance states that the College must determine the maximum scheduled award a student would receive based on their Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and Cost of Attendance (COA) using the payment schedule provided by the U.S. Department of Education. Students must be awarded on the basis of a COA comprised of allowable costs assessed to all students carrying the same academic workload. COA must be prorated for students who are attending less than an academic year, or who are less than full-time in a term-based program. As a result of this condition, the College was exposed to an increased risk that incorrect information would be used to determine students' Pell Grant award amounts. Auditor Recommendation. We recommend the College implement procedures to ensure the COA and EFC used to calculate each student's Pell Grant is updated for each academic year and reviewed by an independent official. Corrective Action. In the spring of each year, the College Financial Aid Department will establish the Cost of Attendance (COA) necessary for Pell student eligibility, in addition to the Educational Financial Contribution (EFC) for the following fiscal year. Once these are calculated and established, the head of the Business Office will review the calculations, discuss, and approve. Once they have been approved, the appropriate information will be entered into the Financial Aid software system. Responsible Party. Director of Financial Aid and Head of the Business Office. Anticipated Completion Date. June 30, 2024.