Finding 1090102 (2024-001)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2024-12-09

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The University failed to perform a required R2T4 calculation for a student who withdrew, leading to delays in returning federal funds and notifying the student.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with 34 CFR 668.22 regarding timely R2T4 calculations and student communications was not met.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement and monitor controls to ensure R2T4 calculations are completed within 30 days of withdrawal.

Finding Text

FINDING 2024-001 – Special Tests and Provisions – Return of Title IV Funds – Significant Deficiency in Internal Controls Over Compliance (See table in "Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs.") Criteria: The regulations 34 CFR 668.22 notes when a recipient of Title IV grant or loan funds withdraws from a school after beginning attendance, the University must perform an R2T4 calculation to determine the amount of Title IV aid earned by the student. If the amount disbursed to the student is greater than the amount the student earned, the unearned funds must be returned. Additionally, there are specified communications required to be given to the student by the school per 34 CFR 668.22(3)(a). Condition/context: We selected a sample of 22 students out of a population of 168 that were identified by the University as having received some federal assistance and withdrew from the University during the year under audit. We believe this to be a representative sample of the population. We found one student had dropped all Spring 2024 courses during the beginning of the term but an R2T4 calculation was not performed when the University determined the withdraw on January 12, 2024. As there was no R2T4 calculation performed in January 2024, the University did not communicate timely to the student or return funds within the required time period. The University communicated to the student five months later to begin the return process. Questioned costs: No questioned costs were identified as part of this finding. Cause: The R2T4 calculation was not completed within 30 days of the date of withdraw due to ineffective and incorrect tracking of the student’s courseload changes. Effect: The lack of an R2T4 calculation being performed when the University became aware of the student’s withdraw caused delay in returning federal funds and required communications to the student. Repeat finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the University ensure controls in place are followed and monitored to ensure R2T4 calculations are performed and reviewed timely. Views of responsible officials: Management agrees with the finding. A corrective action plan has been created by management and is included in the following section.

Categories

Special Tests & Provisions Student Financial Aid Significant Deficiency Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 513656 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 513657 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 513658 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 513659 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 513660 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 513661 2024-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1090098 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1090099 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1090100 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1090101 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1090103 2024-002
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $13.91M
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $4.98M
84.038 Federal Perkins Loans, Outstanding at Beginning of Year $987,243
84.031 Higher Education Institutional Aid $454,551
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $286,990
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants $205,279
84.425 Higher Education Emergency Relief Program Institutional Aid Portion $36,179