Student Financial Aid Cluster – Assistance Listing No.: Various Recommendation: We recommend that management strengthen and formalize internal control procedures over federal awards, including documented reviews, approvals, and reconciliations. We also recommend management provide training to staff ...
Student Financial Aid Cluster – Assistance Listing No.: Various Recommendation: We recommend that management strengthen and formalize internal control procedures over federal awards, including documented reviews, approvals, and reconciliations. We also recommend management provide training to staff responsible for federal program administration to ensure understanding of Uniform Guidance requirements. Lastly, management should establish periodic internal reviews to verify that control activities are consistently performed and documented. Explanation of disagreement with audit finding: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Action taken in response to the finding: Due to staff turnover, the loan reconciliation process was performed by the Director of Financial Aid. While the design of the internal controls over the Title IV loan reconciliation process remain accurate, timely, and compliant with federal requirements, Management will formalize procedures to ensure appropriate independent review when the Director completes the reconciliation in the event of staff absences or turnover. Specifically, internal control procedures will require that all reconciliations be reviewed and approved by a qualified supervisor, with documentation retained to evidence both the performance and review of the control. Additionally, the policy will designate appropriate backup personnel to perform the review function in situations where the primary supervisor is unavailable due to absence or staffing changes. Name of the contact person responsible for corrective action: Jackie Kelley, Director of Financial Aid & Scholarship Planned completion date for corrective action plan: June 2026