Finding Text
U.S. Department of Education, Student Financial Aid Cluster – Assistance Listing # 84.033, 84.063, 84.007, 84.268 – Cash Management. Condition: Overdrawn federal student aid funds were not timely returned to the Department of Education. Criteria: In accordance with 34 CFR 668.162(b), a school may not request more funds than the school needs immediately related to the disbursements the school has made or will make to eligible students and parents. A school must make the disbursements as soon as administratively feasible, but no later than three business days following the date the school receives those funds. Any funds not disbursed by the end of the third business day are considered excess cash. Cause: Lack of controls over cash management. Effect: Excess federal cash retained by the institution. Context: The University had overdrawn federal student aid funds of approximately $219,000 at June 30, 2024 related to draws that were made during June 2024. Repeat Finding from Prior Year: Not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the University implement appropriate training regarding compliance regulations into the employee onboarding process and thereafter for applicable employees. Additionally, we recommend the University implements timely review procedures to ensure that any overdrawn funds are returned within the tolerance period.