Finding Text
2024-004 – Disbursing Funds (Significant Deficiency) Department of Education, SFA Cluster, Special Tests and Provisions Criteria: Except for paying a student under the Federal Work Study program or unless 34 CFR 685.303(d)(4)(i) applies, an institution must disburse during the current payment period the amount of Title IV, HEA program funds that a student enrolled at the institution is eligible to receive for that payment period. (34 CFR 668.164 (b)(1). Condition: From a population of 679 students that received the Pell grant, we tested 24 students and noted that two students did not receive the Pell awards for which they were eligible, and one student received an incorrect Pell award. Cause: Controls to ensure accurate disbursements to students are not functioning properly. Effect: Two students did not receive Pell awards they were eligible for during the payment period and one student received more Pell funds than they were entitled to. Recommendation: We recommend that procedures are put in place to ensure timely and accurate payment of Title VI awards. Action Taken: Shortages in staffing did not allow for double checking student enrollment post census. To correct this situation, we have added an additional counselor. We are working with a consultant to automate manual processes to free up more counselor time. Responsible Party and contact information: Daisy Tabachow, Director of Financial Aid. Expected Date of Correction: Beginning with the summer 2025 trimester and ending at the end of the fiscal year.