Finding Text
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education; Office of Federal Student Aid
Pass through Entity: Not Applicable
Program Name: Federal Direct Student Loan Program Federal PELL Grant ALN and Program Expenditure: 84.268 ($528,346) 84.063 ($332,540)
Award Number: P268K241726 P063P231726 Federal Award Year: July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024 Questioned Costs: N/A Condition Found: The University has an adequate Satisfactory Academic Progress policy. Student GPAs and completion rates are reviewed at the end of each academic year. However, the University is not informing students when they are placed on financial aid suspension and how to appeal the decision. Criteria: The University is required to notify students of the financial aid ramifications of being placed on financial aid suspension, including the ability to appeal the decision and the steps that need to be taken to improve their GPA and/or completion percentage. Cause: The University issues academic suspension letters. However, the letters do not include the financial aid ramifications related to being placed on suspension. Possible Asserted Effect: The students were not aware that they were placed on financial aid suspension and thus ineligible to receive federal financial aid from the University. Repeat Finding: There was not a similar finding in the previous year. Statistical Sampling: The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Recommendation: The Financial Aid Office staff should create a Financial Aid Suspension Letter outlining the financial aid ramifications related to being placed on suspension and include instructions on how to appeal the decision. Management Response: Management agrees with the auditors’ finding and their recommendation. The Business Office and the Director of Financial Aid is in the process of creating a Financial Aid Suspension Letter to notify students of the financial aid ramifications of being placed on financial aid suspension.