Finding Text
2024-004 –Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (Significant Deficiency) Department of Education, SFA Cluster, Eligibility Criteria: In accordance with 34 CFR 668.34(a), an institution must establish a reasonable satisfactory academic progress policy for determining whether an otherwise eligible student is making satisfactory academic progress in his or her educational program and may receive assistance under Title IV, HEA programs. A student placed on academic probation may receive Title IV, HEA program funds for one payment period. At the end of one payment period on financial aid probation, the student must meet the institution's satisfactory academic progress standards or meet the requirements of the academic plan developed by the institution and the student to qualify for further Title IV, HEA program funds. Condition: Our review of 26 student files disclosed that one student was placed on academic probation after fall 2023 semester and received Pell for spring 2024 semester. The student did not meet satisfactory academic progress standards at the end of spring 2024 semester, however, the student received Pell for summer semester 2024. Cause: Controls are not functioning properly. Effect: Title IV program funds were awarded to a student who was not eligible to receive such funds. Repeat Finding from a Prior Year: Not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend the University review and update its policies to ensure that the University’s Satisfactory Academic Progress policy is enforced. Management Response: The University acknowledges the oversight in the enforcement of its Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy and has taken corrective action to address the deficiency. Specifically, the Financial Aid Office has conducted a comprehensive review of SAP monitoring procedures to ensure full compliance with federal regulations under 34 CFR 668.34. Corrective steps taken include: 1) Policy Clarification and Staff Training: The SAP policy has been reviewed and clarified to emphasize the requirement that a student failing to meet SAP after one payment period on financial aid probation is no longer eligible for Title IV funds unless they meet the conditions of an approved academic plan. Targeted training was delivered to financial aid counselors and compliance staff to reinforce correct application of SAP policies and documentation protocols. 2) Automated SAP Compliance Flag: An automated flag has been integrated into the student information system to alert staff when a student has reached the end of a probation period. This flag prevents Title IV disbursement until a manual review confirms eligibility based on SAP or academic plan compliance. 3)Ongoing Monitoring and Quality Assurance: At the conclusion of each academic term, the University runs comprehensive SAP reports to identify all students who have either regained eligibility, remained on SAP, or have newly been placed on SAP status. The student information system is configured to automatically flag these students and restrict Title IV disbursements through system-based controls in the auto-packaging process, thereby preventing ineligible aid disbursements and ensuring compliance with federal regulations.