Finding 1165239 (2025-001)

SIGNIFICANT DEFICIENCY 2025-001 Federal Program Student Financial Assistance Cluster Compliance requirements Special Tests and Provisions – Return to Title IV Condition Of the 37 students tested for Return to Title IV procedures, 2 were determined to have had errors in their calculation. Recommendation We recommend that the College review and update its policies to ensure that accurate Return to Title IV calculations are completed. Comments on the Finding For the issue with an institutional charge incorrectly considered in the R2T4 calculation, this was due to a Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan that was processed and a refund to the parent. Only seven of these loans were processed in the aid year of 2024-25, and there were no other R2T4 situations that involved a Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan. The refund to the parent was shown at the top of the Banner form while student refunds show at the bottom of the Banner form. Due to the rarity of these loans being included in the calculation and the variation of where this charge is shown in Banner, this was missed. Barton personnel are now aware of where to look for this in these very rare cases. For the situation where the incorrect starting date was identified, there was human error when that was entered. Barton does have a quality assurance process to double check all dates on the Banner withdrawal form, and the R2T4 calculation spreadsheet, however, this review will now extend to checking the enrollment dates in a second Banner form. Action Taken Since the 2024-25 aid year was still open, both instances were corrected. Barton’s Director of Financial Aid has made all personnel aware of the issues and has revised the quality assurance review to watch for these issues.