Finding 1158093 (2024-002)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-09-30

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Organization failed to meet the financial responsibility Composite Score of at least 1.0 for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with Title IV program requirements, specifically the financial responsibility criteria set by the U.S. Department of Education.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Monitor the operating budget closely and implement measures to improve financial ratios to ensure compliance.

Finding Text

Federal Agency: US Department of Education Federal Program Title: Student Financial Assistance Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 84.033, 84.268 Finding Type: Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance; Material Noncompliance Criteria: To participate in the Title IV programs, an organization must demonstrate financial responsibility to the U.S. Department of Education (ED). ED considers an organization to be financially responsible if it has a Composite Score of its primary Reserve Ratio, Equity Ratio and Net Income Ratio of at least 1.0 or satisfies one of the alternative options (Letter of Credit Alternative or Provisional Certification Alternative) to meet the financial responsibility requirements (34 C.F.R. § 668.172). Condition: The Organization did not meet the financial responsibility Composite Score threshold for the fiscal year ended December31, 2024. - Cause: As a result of the prior period adjustment to the 2023 financial statements, net assets were significantly reduced which negatively affected the Organization's 2024 Composite Score. Effect or Potential Effect: The Organization's calculated Composite Score for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 was below 1.0. An organization that does not meet the Composite Score threshold may be deemed as not financially responsible by ED. Questioned Costs: There are no questioned costs associated with this finding. Repeat Finding: Not a repeat finding. Recommendation: The Organization should take steps to monitor its operating budget and ensure that it meets the necessary financial ratio requirements. Views of Responsible Officials: The Organization concurs with this finding and has procedures in place as outlined in the Corrective Action Plan to ensure compliance with requirements. 40

Corrective Action Plan

Over the past two months in August and September, the board has reviewed the budget and the organization has sharply reduced staff and facility costs at both the Austin and Berkeley campuses. This will ensure that the organization qualifies for at least a 1.0 on the composite score and qualify for a letter of credit alternative or provisional certification alternative to meet the fiscal responsibility requirements through the 2025 fiscal year audit. As of today, September 29, 2025, expense reductions have been implemented.

Categories

Student Financial Aid Material Weakness Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1158094 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $2.95M
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $17,955