Management Views and Corrective Action Plan
Year Ending December 31, 2023
Finding 2023-001 - Inappropriate Amounts Included in Loan Notification Letters
(Significant Deficiency)
Grantor: U.S. Department of Education
Program: Student Financial Assistance Cluster
Assistance Listing #: 84.268
Award T...
Management Views and Corrective Action Plan
Year Ending December 31, 2023
Finding 2023-001 - Inappropriate Amounts Included in Loan Notification Letters
(Significant Deficiency)
Grantor: U.S. Department of Education
Program: Student Financial Assistance Cluster
Assistance Listing #: 84.268
Award Title: Federal Direct Loan Program
Award Years: 7/2022 – 6/2024
Management agrees with the finding and proposes the following corrective action plan:
Corrective Action Plan
The first instance where disbursement dates and amounts were not included in the communication
because the system incorrectly captured the student’s name rather than the date and amount of
disbursements was caused by a system update. When PeopleSoft system updates are installed, they
sometimes affect the data tables where our notification letters pull from. In this instance an update
changed a table referenced in the query used to compile loan notification letters. The letter for this
student was sent out before the query could be updated to correct for this change. Because of this
issue, management has decided to have all loan notification letters compiled manually, effective
January 2024, until a consultant can be brought in to help address the issue. Once the system
configuration is corrected, we will return to using automated letters, but will continue to review a
sample of loan notification letters each semester as an additional control.
The second instance where loan disbursement letters were not sent due to the system not being
updated to reflect the new academic was the result of a training issue. During 2023, the College
made system changes to address prior year audit findings. These changes were made during the
2022-23 academic year and when the 2023-24 academic year started the system settings were not
updated. The financial aid staff responsible for setting up the new academic year in the system will
receive additional system setup training to ensure this type of issue does not happen in future
academic years.
Timing
Starting in May 2024, Riley Niemand, Financial Aid Manager will work with a consultant to correct
the automated loan notification letter process and to implement a process to review loan notification
letters after a system update. This process will be completed by August 31, 2024. In May 2024,
Chris Reitz, Controller, will also implement a financial aid review process to ensure loan
notifications are completely, accurately, and timely sent to the student and/or parent each semester.
System setup training to individuals involved in the process of setting up the new academic year in
the system will be completed by Chris Reitz and Riley Niemand in May 2024.
Sincerely,
S. Christopher Reitz
Director of Financial Services and Controller
creitz@ensign.edu
801-524-8109