Finding Text
Identification of the Federal Program: United States Department of Education Federal Pell Grant Program (84.063) Criteria: 34 CFR 690.63 Condition: Over Award of Federal Pell Grant Program Funds Cause: No cause could be determined. Effect: The students in question were not awarded properly based upon the students’ eligibility. Questioned Costs: Total Questioned Costs: $769 $350 in 2023-2024 Federal Pell Grant program funds. $419 in 2024-2025 Federal Pell Grant program funds. Description of the Nature and Extent of the Issues Reported: Our review of fifty (50) student files disclosed that two (2) students were incorrectly awarded Federal Pell Grant program funds based on eligibility. Twenty five (25) of the student files were reviewed for Eligibility (EL), and twenty five (25) were reviewed for Verification (VR). For student #20 (VR), the Institution awarded $2,465 in 2023-2024 Federal Pell Grant program funds. The student was eligible for $2,115, resulting in an over award of $350 in 2023-2024 Federal Pell Grant program funds. For student #2 (EL), the Institution awarded $2,465 in 2024-2025 Federal Pell Grant program funds. The student was eligible for $2,046, resulting in an over award of $419 in 2024-2025 Federal Pell Grant program funds. Subsequent to the audit, the Institution refunded $350 in 2023-2024 Federal Pell Grant program funds on behalf of student #20 (VR). In addition the Institution refunded $419 in 2024-2025 Federal Pell Grant program funds on behalf of student #2 (EL). The instances of noncompliance represent an error rate in the number of sampled items tested equal to 4% (2 of 50) from a population of 4,182 and in the dollar amount of the sampled items tested equal to 0.18% ($769 of $432,530) from a population of $36,539,535. This is a statistically valid sample. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendations: We recommend that the institution review and update procedures to ensure that Federal Pell Grant awards are calculated and disbursed in accordance with 34 C.F.R. § 690.63 based on each student’s eligibility. Views of Responsible Officials: The Institution agrees with the finding and recommendation.