Finding 1164545 (2025-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
NP
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2025
Accepted
2025-12-11

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: An incorrect semester start date was used for one student's R2T4 calculation, leading to a miscalculation of Federal Pell Grant funds.
  • Impacted Requirements: The total number of days in the semester must be accurately calculated, including adjustments for breaks, to ensure correct federal funding.
  • Recommended Follow-up: Return $37 of Pell Grant funds to the Department of Education and enhance communication between the registrar and financial aid to prevent future errors.

Finding Text

Federal Agency:U.S. Department of Education; Office ofFederalStudentAidPassthroughEntity:NotapplicableProgramName:FederalPellGrantProgramAL#andProgramExpenditures:84.063($848,787)Award Number:P063P243976Federal Award Year:July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025Questioned Costs:$37Condition Found:The incorrect number of days in the semester was used for one of the eight R2T4s reviewed during the audit. The incorrect start date was used for a student taking an on-line course through the College’s IWU Partnership. Criteria:The total number of days in the semester for the purposes of R2T4 calculation is the sum of the start and end dates noted in the academic calendar less any scheduled breaks of five or more days Cause:The Director of Financial Aid miscalculated the number of days in the semester. Due to miscommunication between Registrar and Financial Aid, the incorrect start was used for one student taking an online class through the College’s IWU Partnership. Possible Asserted Effect:The amount of Federal Pell Grant funds awarded to the student was incorrect. $37 of Federal Pell Grant funds should be returned to the Department of Education. Repeat Finding:See Finding 2024-004 for a finding related to R2T4 calculations in the prior year.Recommendation:$37 of Pell Grant Funds should be returned to the Department of Education. Communication between the registrar and financial aid should be improved, and financial aid office should be made aware of start and end dates for the College’s IWU Partnership classes. In addition, all eight R2T4s calculated during the year were reviewed during the audit. The correct semester start date was used in those calculations. Management Response:Management agrees with the auditor’s finding and their recommendation. The School returned $37 of Pell Grant Funds on November 25, 2025. Communication will be improved between the financial aid office and the registrar. Procedures will be improved to ensure that R2T4s are calculated correctly.

Corrective Action Plan

Management agrees with the auditor’s finding and their recommendation. The School returned $37 of Pell Grant Funds on November 25, 2025. Communication will be improved between the financial aid office and the registrar. Procedures will be improved to ensure that R2T4s are calculated correctly. Anticipated Completion Date: The corrective action was completed on November 25, 2025. Contact Person Valorie Quesenberry, Financial Aid Coordinator 513-763-6659

Categories

Questioned Costs Student Financial Aid Period of Performance

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.063 FEDERAL PELL GRANT PROGRAM $848,787
84.268 FEDERAL DIRECT STUDENT LOANS $166,073
84.007 FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANTS $15,181
84.033 FEDERAL WORK-STUDY PROGRAM $12,366