Corrective Action Plans

Finding 385011 (2023-001)

None 2023

PR

Student Financial Aid Eligibility Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking

Finding No. 2023–001 – Disbursement to or on behalf students Title IV, HEA credit balances Name of Contact Person: Dr. Ismael A. Velez de la Rosa Corrective Action Plan The University affirms its understanding of its obligation to submit disbursement according to the 34 CFR 668.164(h)(2)(i) A title ...

Finding No. 2023–001 – Disbursement to or on behalf students Title IV, HEA credit balances Name of Contact Person: Dr. Ismael A. Velez de la Rosa Corrective Action Plan The University affirms its understanding of its obligation to submit disbursement according to the 34 CFR 668.164(h)(2)(i) A title IV, a HEA credit balance must be paid directly to the student or parent as soon as possible, but no later than fourteen (14) days after the balance occurred, if the credit balance occurred after the first day of class of a payment period. Due to an error in the system, within institutional officials in charge of managing this process, one disbursement was not submitted on a timely basis. UCB will reinforce their policies and procedures to satisfy all applicable requirements specified in 668.164 (h) and due a doble verification of the process to make sure every student no later than fourteen (14) days after the balance occurred. As of the date of the auditors’ report, the University request all of the institution’s officials to work in the school premises and the communication between officials has been improve, making easier the tracking of the disbursements on a timely basis to students. Anticipated completion date: Immediately.

View Audit 298066

Finding 384985 (2023-001)

Significant Deficiency 2023

Madison Area Technical College District

WI

Student Financial Aid Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking Internal Control / Segregation of Duties § 200.303

Student Financial Aid Cluster – Assistance Listing No. 84.063 & 84.268 Recommendation: We recommend that the College design and implement controls to ensure reporting to NSLDS are designed to capture all enrolled students and programs offered by the District. Explanation of disagreement with audit...

Student Financial Aid Cluster – Assistance Listing No. 84.063 & 84.268 Recommendation: We recommend that the College design and implement controls to ensure reporting to NSLDS are designed to capture all enrolled students and programs offered by the District. Explanation of disagreement with audit finding: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Action taken in response to finding: The District worked with NSC to resolve the errors surrounding mismatched CIP codes, resulting in the enrollment report being finalized in late 2022. The College will work with their Records Department to explore accommodations surrounding future term requirements. Name(s) of the contact person(s) responsible for corrective action: Laurie Grigg, Chief Financial Officer Planned completion date for corrective action plan: June 30, 2024

View Audit 298033

Finding 384983 (2023-003)

Material Weakness 2023

Christian Theological Seminary, Inc.

IN

Student Financial Aid Material Weakness Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking

Planned Corrective Action: The Seminary has taken action on many security standards outlined in the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. However, the Seminary has not created a written comprehensive information security plan. The Seminary will develop this plan, that will incorporate many of the items that w...

Planned Corrective Action: The Seminary has taken action on many security standards outlined in the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. However, the Seminary has not created a written comprehensive information security plan. The Seminary will develop this plan, that will incorporate many of the items that we have already put in place. However, we realize with out a written plan that we are no incompliance with the Act. The Seminary will put the plan in writing. Person Responsible for Corrective Action Plan: Melissa Trayhan – Manager of Information Technology Anticipated Completion Date June 2024

View Audit 298024

Finding 384944 (2023-003)

Significant Deficiency 2023

Central College

IA

Reporting Student Financial Aid Significant Deficiency

FISAP Reporting Recommendation: We recommend the College evaluate its procedures for reviewing the FISAP and implement changes to validate the information on the FISAP. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: This number comes directly from an eligible aid applicant’s report...

FISAP Reporting Recommendation: We recommend the College evaluate its procedures for reviewing the FISAP and implement changes to validate the information on the FISAP. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: This number comes directly from an eligible aid applicant’s report. The College has implemented additional oversight procedures for the control to double check figures in future FISAP filings prior to submission. Anticipated Completion Date: September 30, 2023

View Audit 297984

Finding 384943 (2023-002)

Significant Deficiency 2023

Central College

IA

Student Financial Aid Eligibility Reporting

Pell and SEOG Awarding Errors Recommendation: We recommend the College evaluate its procedures for reviewing financial assistance and implement changes to validate the awarding of financial assistance. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: When the Department of Education c...

Pell and SEOG Awarding Errors Recommendation: We recommend the College evaluate its procedures for reviewing financial assistance and implement changes to validate the awarding of financial assistance. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: When the Department of Education changes Pell Grant eligibility parameters, there is a process that is run to update Pella Grant eligibility in the Datatel processing system. However, when new eligibility parameters increase the number of eligible students due to increasing the estimated family contribution (EFC) eligibility cut-off, there is a separate process that must be run to catch these newly eligible students. This was the scenario in 2022-2023. Six students that were not originally eligible for Pell Grant became eligible. Similar circumstances also occurred in 23-24 and the process was run ensuring all eligible students are being awarded. The additional process has been added to the financial aid calendar to ensure this will not happen in the future. Anticipated Completion Date: September 30, 2023

View Audit 297984

Finding 384942 (2023-001)

Significant Deficiency 2023

Central College

IA

Student Financial Aid Reporting Significant Deficiency

Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4) Calculation Errors Recommendation: We recommend the College evaluate its procedures for reviewing R2T4 calculations and implement changes to validate the inputs to the calculation. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: The finding is due to C...

Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4) Calculation Errors Recommendation: We recommend the College evaluate its procedures for reviewing R2T4 calculations and implement changes to validate the inputs to the calculation. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: The finding is due to Central College incorrectly inputting the number of break days in the school calendar profile in the R2T4 section of the common origination and disbursement website. When doing annual set-up, the financial aid office will now be confirming correct dates with Central’s controller. The school calendar profiles have already been issued to Forge Financial & Management Consulting for the 23-24 academic year. Anticipated Completion Date: September 30, 2023

View Audit 297984

Finding 384903 (2023-026)

Significant Deficiency 2023

State of Vermont

VT

Questioned Costs Eligibility Student Financial Aid § 200.303

DCF has updated the eligibility determination procedure document and referenced checklists to ensure that there are additional reviews of the manual data entry and its processing in the data system (SSMIS). There is a process in place by which any cases where manual data entry causes erroneous IV-E ...

DCF has updated the eligibility determination procedure document and referenced checklists to ensure that there are additional reviews of the manual data entry and its processing in the data system (SSMIS). There is a process in place by which any cases where manual data entry causes erroneous IV-E draws, the Department will make changes in the data system and return IV-E funds erroneously claimed within one quarter of the mistake being identified. Scheduled Completion Date of Corrective Action Plan: January 1, 2024 Contact for Corrective Action Plan: Gillie Hopkins, DCF-FSD Permanency Planning Program Manager gillie.hopkins@vermont.gov Barbara Joyal, DCF-FSD System of Care Unit Director barbara.joyal@vermont.gov Beth Sausville, DCF-FSD System of Care Unit Director beth.sausville@vermont.gov Ed Dwinell, DCF Business Office, Financial Director ed.dwinell@vermont.gov Peter Moino, AHS Director of Internal Audit peter.moino@vermont.gov

View Audit 297960 Questioned Costs: $1

Finding 384825 (2023-001)

None 2023

Sacred Heart University, Inc.

CT

Student Financial Aid Special Tests & Provisions Eligibility

Contact person responsible for corrective action: University Registrar Corrective action: Sacred Heart University implemented a comprehensive corrective action plan in collaboration with the following key stakeholders: Sacred Heart University’s enterprise resource provider (ERP), Ellucian; the Regi...

Contact person responsible for corrective action: University Registrar Corrective action: Sacred Heart University implemented a comprehensive corrective action plan in collaboration with the following key stakeholders: Sacred Heart University’s enterprise resource provider (ERP), Ellucian; the Registrar’s Office; and Sacred Heart University’s Department of Information Technology (IT). Sacred Heart University acknowledges the erroneous reporting of graduation effective dates for two students, wherein the effective start date of their first graduate course mistakenly overrode their previously reported correct graduation date. The University took decisive action to address the inaccuracies identified within a summer 2023 enrollment submission to National Student Clearinghouse for Branch 80 and Branch 81. Sacred Heart University conducted a thorough investigation with Ellucian Support to identify the source of these errors. The investigation resulted in a determination by Ellucian Support that the reporting error was caused by a software bug within its software platform, Ellucian Colleague. Ellucian developed a patch, released in October 2023, to rectify the issue. Implementation of this patch by the Sacred Heart University Information Technology department is scheduled for March 2024. Proposed completion date: March 31, 2024

View Audit 297946

Finding 384805 (2023-002)

Significant Deficiency 2023

Dominican University of California

CA

Student Financial Aid Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Cash Management

Corrective Action Plan: Management agrees with the recommendation. Regarding the repeat condition of the total number of undergraduate and graduate students, it was partially corrected as the presentation of 1,219 was correct for undergraduate and the total number of enrolled undergraduate and gradu...

Corrective Action Plan: Management agrees with the recommendation. Regarding the repeat condition of the total number of undergraduate and graduate students, it was partially corrected as the presentation of 1,219 was correct for undergraduate and the total number of enrolled undergraduate and graduate was 1,818, however the supporting data was not. The Financial Aid Office and the Business Service Office have documented the process and data source to obtain accurate data for reporting purposes. This will be corrected moving forward and reflected in the revised reporting of FISAP on December 15, 2023. Regarding the repeat condition of the tuition and fees reporting, the Business Service Office has documented the reconciling process and data source to ensure accurate reporting. The corrected undergraduate and graduate student’s tuition and fees should be $69,898,134. This will be corrected moving forward and reflected in the revised reporting of FISAP on December 15, 2023.

View Audit 297913

Finding 384785 (2023-001)

Significant Deficiency 2023

Central Community College

NE

Student Financial Aid Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking Reporting

The College identified what took place during contact with the Clearinghouse. Student records have been updated and procedures have been implemented to ensure accuracy of enrollment reporting in addition to implementing review procedures between college records and NSLDS enrollment reports.

View Audit 297900

Finding 384759 (2023-001)

Significant Deficiency 2023

Milwaukee School of Engineering

WI

Student Financial Aid Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Condition: The University did not have documented controls in place, reviewing that the comprehensive information security program was in compliance with the Safeguards Rule and was prepared and in place by June 9, 2023 Corrective Action Planned:The University will reevaluate procedures to ensure t...

Condition: The University did not have documented controls in place, reviewing that the comprehensive information security program was in compliance with the Safeguards Rule and was prepared and in place by June 9, 2023 Corrective Action Planned:The University will reevaluate procedures to ensure that all reports required under Uniform Guidance are reviewed, approved, documented, and retained in a timely manner. Name(s) of Contact Person(s) Responsible for Corrective Action: Richard Thomas, Senior Director of IT Informational Technology, and Paul Matson, CFO & VP of Finance

View Audit 297875

Finding 384712 (2023-001)

Material Weakness 2023

Harrisburg Area Community College

PA

Student Financial Aid Reporting Material Weakness

Friday, March 15, 2024 Harrisburg Area Community College respectfully submits the following corrective action plan for the year ended June 30, 2023. The findings from the June 30, 2023 audit report dated March 15, 2024 schedule of findings and questioned cost are discussed below. The findings are ...

Friday, March 15, 2024 Harrisburg Area Community College respectfully submits the following corrective action plan for the year ended June 30, 2023. The findings from the June 30, 2023 audit report dated March 15, 2024 schedule of findings and questioned cost are discussed below. The findings are numbered consistently with the numbers assigned in the schedule. Agency: (Federal Agency per Finding) U.S. Department of Education Audit Period: July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023 Name and Address of independent public accounting firm: Smith Elliott Kearns & Company, LLC, Certified Public Accountants & Consultants 804 Wayne Avenue Chambersburg, Pennsylvania Finding Type: (per Finding) Student Financial Aid Cluster: Material Weakness in internal Controls over Compliance and NonCompliance Internal Control Type: (please choose the type per the finding) o Material Weakness(es) o Significant Deficiencies Audit Finding No.: 2023-001 Federal Program: (per Finding) Student Financial Aid Cluster: Compliance Requirement: (per Finding) Reporting Audit Finding Title/Statement of Condition: (copy from audit findings documentation) Institutions are required to report enrollment information under the Pell grant and the Direct loan programs via the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). Two student’s enrollment changes were not properly reported to NSLDS and this was not initially addressed by the College. Seven student’s enrollment changes were not timely reported. These students were enrolled during the Spring 2023 semester and the changes were not reported to NSLDS until September 2023, beyond the 60-day reporting requirement. Auditor Recommendation: (copy from audit findings documentation) We recommend that the College ensure all error reports are reviewed and followed up on timely to ensure students information is being properly reported to NSLDS. Additionally, we recommend the college review its policies and procedures and training processes to ensure reporting is happening in a timely manner. Specific steps to be taken to correct the situation [including a timetable for performance of the CAP] or reason why corrective action is not necessary (including disagreement with the finding). 1) The College will correct the enrollment discrepancies that were reported/uncovered in the audit process. 2) The College will review its existing reporting process for enrollment to the National Clearinghouse. 3) The College will regularly cross reference National Clearinghouse reporting to ensure accurate transfer into NSLDS. 4) The College will address any issues with NSLDS reporting carryover/transfer with NSLDS staff support. Anticipated Completion Date: Corrections to the students’ enrollment errors will be addressed by March 31, 2024. Name(s) and Title(s) of contact person(s) responsible for correction action: Tim Barshinger, Assistant Vice-president of Student Enrollment Services

View Audit 297844

Finding 384707 (2023-002)

Significant Deficiency 2023

Massachusetts Maritime Academy

MA

Questioned Costs Student Financial Aid

Finding number: 2023-002 Federal agency: U.S. Department of Education Programs: Federal Pell Grants AL #’s: 84.063 Award year: 2023 Corrective Action Plan: Once the new Federal Pell Grant amounts are announced by the DOE, the Director will run a report of all students that have already been awarded ...

Finding number: 2023-002 Federal agency: U.S. Department of Education Programs: Federal Pell Grants AL #’s: 84.063 Award year: 2023 Corrective Action Plan: Once the new Federal Pell Grant amounts are announced by the DOE, the Director will run a report of all students that have already been awarded a Federal Pell Grant to recalculate their Federal Pell Grant amount. Additionally, an internal audit will be done after the first disbursements are done in the Fall to ensure that all students are receiving the correct Pell amount. Timeline for Implementation of Corrective Action Plan: This policy was already implemented and began with the 2023-2024 academic year. Contact Person Catherine Kedski, Director of Student Financial Services

View Audit 297824 Questioned Costs: $1

Finding 384706 (2023-001)

Significant Deficiency 2023

Massachusetts Maritime Academy

MA

Student Financial Aid Reporting Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking

Finding number: 2023-001 Federal agency: U.S. Department of Education Programs: Federal Direct Student Loans AL #’s: 84.268 Award year: 2023 Corrective Action Plan: The Loan Counselor will automatically submit a Direct Loan disbursement report immediately following the disbursement of any federal lo...

Finding number: 2023-001 Federal agency: U.S. Department of Education Programs: Federal Direct Student Loans AL #’s: 84.268 Award year: 2023 Corrective Action Plan: The Loan Counselor will automatically submit a Direct Loan disbursement report immediately following the disbursement of any federal loan. The Director will monitor when the Loan Counselor runs any disbursements and confirm that the disbursement report has been sent to COD in a timely fashion. Timeline for Implementation of Corrective Action Plan: This plan has already been implemented beginning with the 2023-2024 academic year. Contact Person Catherine Kedski, Director of Student Financial Services

View Audit 297824

Finding 384694 (2023-007)

Significant Deficiency 2023

Columbia College

MO

Student Financial Aid Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking Significant Deficiency

2023-007 Exit Counseling (Significant Deficiency) Criteria: Federal regulations stipulate that an institution must ensure that exit counseling is conducted with each Federal Direct Loan borrower shortly before the student borrower ceases at least half-time study at the school. If a student borrower ...

2023-007 Exit Counseling (Significant Deficiency) Criteria: Federal regulations stipulate that an institution must ensure that exit counseling is conducted with each Federal Direct Loan borrower shortly before the student borrower ceases at least half-time study at the school. If a student borrower withdraws from the school without prior knowledge or fails to complete the exit counseling as required, exit counseling must, within 30 days after the school learns that the student has withdrawn from school or failed to complete the exit counseling as required, be provided either through interactive electronic means, by mailing written counseling materials to the student borrower at the student borrower’s last known address, or by sending written counseling materials to an email address provided by the student borrower that is not an email address associated with the school sending the counseling materials. Condition: During our testing, we noted eight instances, in a sample of nine students requiring exit counseling, in which evidence of exit counseling and notification of exit counseling could not be provided by the College. Action Taken: We concur with this finding. Currently, students receive a withdrawal notification that provides them with a link to complete their exit counseling. Moving forward and during the completion of the withdrawal, the students will be presented with an exit counseling digital page. On this page, withdrawal information will be provided to the student along with the deadline to complete the exit counseling. Students will also certify that they have received and understood the information. Once the withdrawal form is completed, students will get a follow up email that will also direct them to the exit counseling at www.studentaid.gov and inform them of the 30-day deadline. Responsible Party: Lola Kennedy, Senior Director of Financial Aid and Sharon Murphy, Registrar Point of Contact: Lola Kennedy, Senior Director of Financial Aid (lkennedy@columbiasc.edu) and Sharon Murphy, Registrar (smurphy@columbiasc.edu) Expected date of correction: April 1, 2024

View Audit 297799

Finding 384693 (2023-006)

Significant Deficiency 2023

Columbia College

MO

Student Financial Aid Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking Significant Deficiency

2023-006 Return of Title IV Funds (Significant Deficiency) Criteria: When a recipient of Title IV grant or loan assistance withdraws from a school during a payment period in which the recipient began attendance, the school must determine the amount of Title IV assistance earned by the student as of ...

2023-006 Return of Title IV Funds (Significant Deficiency) Criteria: When a recipient of Title IV grant or loan assistance withdraws from a school during a payment period in which the recipient began attendance, the school must determine the amount of Title IV assistance earned by the student as of the student’s withdrawal date. If the total of the Title IV assistance earned by the student is less than the amount that was distributed to the student, the difference must be returned to the Title IV programs. A school must return Title IV funds to the programs from which the student received aid as soon as possible but no later than 45 days after the date of determination of a student’s withdrawal. Condition: From a population of 61 students that withdrew during the fiscal year, we tested seven and noted that six of the seven required a refund calculation and return of funds. Four of the students refund calculations were not completed in a timely fashion and two students that completed a withdrawal form did not have a refund calculations prepared. The College did not return Title IV funds for the two students that should have had refund calculations and the College did not return Title IV funds within 45 days after the date of determination of the student’s withdrawal for the four students that had refund calculations prepared. Action Taken: We concur with this finding. During the 2022-2023 academic year, the Office of Financial Aid experienced much transition. The office is now fully staffed. In addition, the communication list for withdrawals was updated with the Director of Financial Aid’s information to ensure the financial aid office receives all withdrawal information in a timely manner. Responsible Party: Lola Kennedy, Senior Director of Financial Aid Point of Contact: Lola Kennedy, Senior Director of Financial Aid (lkennedy@columbiasc.edu) Expected date of correction: July 2023

View Audit 297799

Finding 384692 (2023-005)

Significant Deficiency 2023

Columbia College

MO

Student Financial Aid Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking Reporting

2023-005 Reporting Student Withdraw Date in the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) (Significant Deficiency) Criteria: The College is responsible for submitting timely, accurate and complete responses to Enrollment Reporting roster files and for maintaining proper documentation in accordance ...

2023-005 Reporting Student Withdraw Date in the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) (Significant Deficiency) Criteria: The College is responsible for submitting timely, accurate and complete responses to Enrollment Reporting roster files and for maintaining proper documentation in accordance with 34 CFR Section 685.309(a)(2). Condition: From a population of 61 students that withdrew during the fiscal year, we tested seven and noted that six of the seven required a refund calculation and return of funds. The change in status was not reported to NSLDS for one student and the last date of the semester was reported instead of the withdrawal date for four students. Action Taken: The Registrar’s Office maintains the institution’s enrollment records. During the fall of 2023, the enrollment reporting process was moved to the Registrar’s Office to ensure the accuracy of reporting. Responsible Party: Sharon Murphy, Registrar Point of Contact: Sharon Murphy, Registrar (smurphy@columbiasc.edu) Expected date of correction: August 2023

View Audit 297799

Finding 384691 (2023-004)

Significant Deficiency 2023

Columbia College

MO

Student Financial Aid Significant Deficiency

2023-004 Incorrect Calculation of Title IV Funds Refunds (Significant Deficiency) Criteria: The total number of calendar days in a payment period or period of enrollment includes all days within the period that a student was scheduled to complete, except that scheduled breaks of at least five consec...

2023-004 Incorrect Calculation of Title IV Funds Refunds (Significant Deficiency) Criteria: The total number of calendar days in a payment period or period of enrollment includes all days within the period that a student was scheduled to complete, except that scheduled breaks of at least five consecutive days are excluded from the total number of calendar days in a payment period or period of enrollment and the number of calendar days completed in that period. If a student withdrawals by providing notification to designated officials, the withdrawal date is the date notification was provided. Institutional charges used in the refund calculation are the charges that were initially assessed the student for the entire payment period. Condition: From a population of 61 students that withdrew during the fiscal year, we tested seven and noted that four of the seven had refund calculations prepared. From these calculations we noted the following: 1. Breaks of five or more consecutive days were not deducted from total days in all refunds. 2. The date of the college’s determination was used as the withdrawal date for three of the four students.3. Institutional charges for the period used in the refund calculations included tuition and fee credits processed due to the withdrawal for two of the four students. Action Taken: We concur with this finding. During the 2022-2023 academic year, the Office of Financial Aid experienced much transition. The office is now fully staffed. In addition, the staff attend internal and external training on R2T4 processing along with other regulations. System updates are performed during the Fall semester for the next year. During this update, R2T4 parameters are set and monitored to ensure accuracy. In addition, the R2T4 calculations now include adjustments made to the students’ account at the time of withdrawal. Responsible Party: Lola Kennedy, Senior Director of Financial Aid Point of Contact: Lola Kennedy, Senior Director of Financial Aid (lkennedy@columbiasc.edu) Expected date of correction: August 1, 2023

View Audit 297799

Finding 384690 (2023-003)

Significant Deficiency 2023

Columbia College

MO

Student Financial Aid Significant Deficiency

2023-003 Treatment of a student who fails to receive a passing grade in any class (Significant Deficiency) Criteria: An institution must have a procedure for determining whether a Title IV aid recipient who began attendance during a period completed the period or should be treated as a withdrawal. I...

2023-003 Treatment of a student who fails to receive a passing grade in any class (Significant Deficiency) Criteria: An institution must have a procedure for determining whether a Title IV aid recipient who began attendance during a period completed the period or should be treated as a withdrawal. If a student who began attendance and has not officially withdrawn fails to earn a passing grade in at least one course offered over an entire period, the school must assume, for Title IV purposes, that the student has unofficially withdrawn, unless the institution can document that the student completed the period. In the absence of evidence of a last day of attendance, a school must consider a student who failed to earn a passing grade in all classes to be an unofficial withdrawal. Condition: From a population of 140 students that received all failing grades in a term, we tested fourteen students and noted that documentation of the last date of attendance could not be provided for any of the students tested. Action Taken: We concur with this finding. With enhancements to the Jenzabar ONE system, the institution has implemented a new process that requires professors to enter the Last Day of attendance (LDA) for any student who earned an F grade. Going forward, the Registrar will present a report to the Office of Financial Aid two days after final grades post for the semester. The report will have the students who have all Fs with their LDS listed for each class. Responsible Party: Lola Kennedy, Senior Director of Financial Aid Point of Contact: Lola Kennedy, Senior Director of Financial Aid (lkennedy@columbiasc.edu) Expected date of correction: April 2024

View Audit 297799

Finding 384689 (2023-002)

Significant Deficiency 2023

Columbia College

MO

Student Financial Aid Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking Significant Deficiency

2023-002 Disbursement of Title IV Funds (Significant Deficiency) Criteria: An institution must disburse during the current payment period, with certain qualifying exceptions, the amount of Title IV, HEA program funds that a student enrolled at the institution, or the student’s parent, is eligible to...

2023-002 Disbursement of Title IV Funds (Significant Deficiency) Criteria: An institution must disburse during the current payment period, with certain qualifying exceptions, the amount of Title IV, HEA program funds that a student enrolled at the institution, or the student’s parent, is eligible to receive for that payment period, 34 CFR 668.164(b)(1). Condition: During our testing, we noted three instances in a sample of 26 students in which Direct Loan awards were not disbursed to the student during the payment period. Qualified exceptions were not met and the three students received disbursements for the 2022-2023 academic year on August 14, 2023. Action Taken: We concur with this finding. During the 2022-2023 academic year, the Office of Financial Aid experienced much transition. The office is now fully staffed. In addition, the staff attend internal and external training sessions regularly. Currently, disbursements are processed at least 3 times a week. The Office of Financial Aid works diligently to ensure all funds are fully disbursed by the end of each semester. Responsible Party: Lola Kennedy, Senior Director of Financial Aid Point of Contact: Lola Kennedy, Senior Director of Financial Aid (lkennedy@columbiasc.edu) Expected date of correction: January 2024

View Audit 297799

Finding 384688 (2023-001)

Material Weakness 2023

Columbia College

MO

Student Financial Aid Material Weakness Reporting

2023-001 Special Reporting – Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP) (Material Weakness) Criteria: As a Campus-Based Program participant, the College is required to submit an accurate FISAP yearly by October 1. The information reported on the FISAP is used to determine the s...

2023-001 Special Reporting – Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP) (Material Weakness) Criteria: As a Campus-Based Program participant, the College is required to submit an accurate FISAP yearly by October 1. The information reported on the FISAP is used to determine the school’s Campus Based Program funding for the upcoming award year as well as report Campus‑Based Program expenditures for the prior award year. The College is required to submit a Fiscal Operations Report plus other information required; the information must be accurate and shall be submitted on the form at the time specified, 34 CFR 674.19(d)(2). Condition: During our review of the College’s FISAP it was determined that tuition and fee revenue was overstated and Pell amount reported was understated. Action Taken: We concur with this finding. Staff made a “change request” to the US Department of Education (USDOE) to adjust the FISAP. Once the “change request” was approved by the USDOE, we edited the FISAP report to appropriately reflect the audited numbers. It is important to note that the FISAP is due by September 30th, and the USDOE allows institutions until December 15th to adjust the figures. Our audited financial statements are due no later than September 30th, which normally allows time to ensure that the figures on the FISAP are reconciled to the ones on the audited financial statements. Nevertheless, if the audited statements are not completed by the September 30th deadline, we will make sure that any adjusting entries to the FISAP are made by the final date of December 15th. Responsible Party: Lola Kennedy, Senior Director of Financial Aid Point of Contact: Lola Kennedy, Senior Director of Financial Aid (lkennedy@columbiasc.edu) Expected date of correction: February 2024

View Audit 297799

Finding 384673 (2023-001)

Significant Deficiency 2023

Bristol Community College

MA

Student Financial Aid Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking

Corrective Action Plan To ensure that there are no further instances of late return of title IV funds due to withdrawals, the financial aid office has updated their process. As a quality assurance measure, every withdrawal processed by the Registrar’s office will be sent to three individuals in the ...

Corrective Action Plan To ensure that there are no further instances of late return of title IV funds due to withdrawals, the financial aid office has updated their process. As a quality assurance measure, every withdrawal processed by the Registrar’s office will be sent to three individuals in the FA office- Director, Associate Director, and Withdrawal Coordinator. After the final withdrawal report from the Registrar’s office has been processed each semester, all students will be reviewed individually by Director, Associate Director, and Coordinator. The manual review process will ensure that all reported students have been appropriately reviewed and processed within the required timeframe. This updated process will eliminate the human error associated with the finding. Timeline for Implementation of Corrective Action Plan Implemented Fall 2023 Contact Person: Alaina Marcotte, Director Financial Aid

View Audit 297771

Finding 384582 (2023-003)

Material Weakness 2023

Metro Technology Center

OK

Student Financial Aid Reporting Material Weakness

Finding Summary: Various discrepancies were noted in the National Student Loan Data System. Responsible Individuals: Alicia Smith, Director of Financial Aid Corrective Action Plan: We have worked to implement a process to quickly update student enrollment status in all financial aid systems to ensur...

Finding Summary: Various discrepancies were noted in the National Student Loan Data System. Responsible Individuals: Alicia Smith, Director of Financial Aid Corrective Action Plan: We have worked to implement a process to quickly update student enrollment status in all financial aid systems to ensure proper reporting. Anticipated Completion Date: July 1, 2024

View Audit 297658

Finding 384579 (2023-002)

Significant Deficiency 2023

Metro Technology Center

OK

Student Financial Aid Reporting Significant Deficiency

Finding Summary: One financial aid disbursement tested was not made within the allowable 15 day period. Responsible Individuals: Alicia Smith, Director of Financial Aid Cari Wilburn, Director of Finance Corrective Action Plan: We have worked together in both departments to ensure proper reporting on...

Finding Summary: One financial aid disbursement tested was not made within the allowable 15 day period. Responsible Individuals: Alicia Smith, Director of Financial Aid Cari Wilburn, Director of Finance Corrective Action Plan: We have worked together in both departments to ensure proper reporting on the financial aid systems and quick disbursements of all funds. Anticipated Completion Date: July 1, 2024

View Audit 297658

Finding 384532 (2023-001)

Significant Deficiency 2023

Fairfield University

CT

Student Financial Aid Special Tests & Provisions Reporting

Finding No. 2023-001 – Significant Deficiency and Noncompliance: Special Tests and Provisions – Enrollment Reporting Corrective Action The corrective action that will be taken is a graduates only enrollment report will be supplied to the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC) by the Registrar’s Offi...

Finding No. 2023-001 – Significant Deficiency and Noncompliance: Special Tests and Provisions – Enrollment Reporting Corrective Action The corrective action that will be taken is a graduates only enrollment report will be supplied to the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC) by the Registrar’s Office on a consistent schedule of submission within 60 days of each graduation period. Persons Responsible for Corrective Action The corrective action plan will be completed by Walter Rankin, Vice Provost for Graduate Continuing and Professional Studies and Danielle Quilligan, University Registrar. Completion Date Initial corrective action was completed by Lynn Kohrn, University Registrar and Allison Henderson, Assistant Registrar in October, 2023 with the submission of a graduates only enrollment report to the third-party service provider NSC. A schedule for consistent submissions of a graduates only enrollment report has already been provided to the NSC.

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Corrective Action Plans

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