Finding Text
Finding No. 2024-002 – Internal Controls over Student Financial Assistance Special Tests and Provisions
Federal Program Name: Federal Student Assistance Cluster; Federal Pell Grant Program, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity, Federal Work Study Program
CFDA Number: 84.063, 84.007, and 84.033
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education
Criteria/Specific Requirement:
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The Student Financial Aid Handbook states that if a recipient of Title IV grant or loan funds withdraws from a school after beginning attendance, the school must perform an R2T4 calculation to determine the amount of the Title IV assistance earned by the student.
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U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Title 34 CFR 668.56 requires that for each applicant whose FAFSA information is selected for verification by the Secretary, the College must obtain specified documentation to verify the information as applicable under Title 34 CRF 668.57(a), 34 CRF 668.57(b), 34 CRF 668.57(c) and 34 CRF 668.57(d).
Condition:
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During the compliance testing of “Special Tests and Provisions – Return of Funds” we noted that fourteen (14) return of funds calculations for the spring semester did not use the correct dates.
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During the audit of the Federal Student Assistance Cluster, we noted one (1) instance the income tax reported on the Institutional Information Record (ISIR) did not match the information on the student’s income tax transcript. We also noted one (1) instance of the student’s household size not agreeing to the ISIR.
Questioned Costs:
None.
Context:
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In the Return of Funds calculations, fourteen (14) of the twenty-five (25) returns were calculated incorrectly.
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Exceptions were noted in two (2) of the twenty-five (25) students selected for verification.
Effect:
The College could send incorrect funds back to the Department or award inaccurate funds to students.
Cause:
Lack of oversight over Return of Funds calculations and Verification.
Recommendation:
We recommend that the College develops internal controls to ensure the return of funds and student verification is preformed accurately.
Management’s Response:
Management agrees with the audit finding and recommendation.