Finding 1165325 (2025-003)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2025-12-18
Audit: 375900
Organization: Rocky Mountain College (MT)
Auditor: KCOE ISOM LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The College miscalculated the Return of Title IV Funds by using two decimal places instead of the required three, affecting 13 students.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with 34 CFR §668.22(a)(3) for accurate fund calculations, leading to potential misuse of federal funds.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Enhance internal controls to ensure adherence to the Federal Student Aid Handbook requirements.

Finding Text

Finding No. 2025-003: Inadequate Calculation of Return of Title IV Funds Assistance Title: Student Financial Assistance Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 84.007, 84.063, 84.0384, 84.268, 84.379 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency and Noncompliance Category of Finding: Special Tests and Provisions: Return of Title IV Funds Known Questioned Costs: $57 Likely Questioned Costs: $57 Criteria Per 34 CFR §668.22(a)(3), percentages related to the calculation of the Return of Title IV Funds are calculated to four decimal places, and rounded to three decimal places. The third decimal place is rounded up if the fourth decimal place is five or above. Condition During our compliance testing of Return of Title IV funds over 21 students, we discovered that the College was utilizing two decimal places rather than three decimal places as required by the Federal Student Aid Handbook. This impacted 13 students in the Spring 2025 semester, amounting to $57 of funds that should have been returned. Cause The miscalculation of return of funds appears to be due to inadequate internal controls over Federal Student Aid Handbook requirements, resulting in utilizing a different amount than what was required. Effect Without utilizing the appropriate decimal places, the College may be misusing federal funding by not calculating the appropriate amount to be returned. Repeat Finding This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation We recommend that the College strengthen its controls over ensuring the Federal Student Aid Handbook is being monitored for appropriate requirements. Management’s Response Management concurs with this finding. See Management’s Response and Corrective Action plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Finding 2025-003: In order to ensure proper compliance with the return of Title IV Funds, the CFO and Controller have updated the return to Title IV (R2T 4) workbook to include the correct rounding method per federal regulation and the Federal Student Aid Handbook. Documentation of each calculation will now include evidence of rounding verification as part of the R2T4 process. Additionally, the Controller will obtain annual training on current Department of Education requirements, including proper rounding and calculation methodologies.

Categories

Special Tests & Provisions Student Financial Aid Significant Deficiency Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1165311 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1165312 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1165313 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1165314 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1165315 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1165316 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1165317 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1165318 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1165319 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1165320 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1165321 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1165322 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1165323 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1165324 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 FEDERAL DIRECT STUDENT LOANS $13.70M
84.063 FEDERAL PELL GRANT PROGRAM $1.87M
84.042 TRIO STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES $367,429
84.038 FEDERAL PERKINS LOAN PROGRAM_FEDERAL CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS $136,712
84.033 FEDERAL WORK-STUDY PROGRAM $129,096
93.859 BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH AND RESEARCH TRAINING $112,546
84.007 FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANTS $95,670
15.805 ASSISTANCE TO STATE WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH INSTITUTES $12,466
93.136 INJURY PREVENTION AND CONTROL RESEARCH AND STATE AND COMMUNITY BASED PROGRAMS $10,019
84.379 TEACHER EDUCATION ASSISTANCE FOR COLLEGE AND HIGHER EDUCATION GRANTS (TEACH GRANTS) $3,772
43.008 OFFICE OF STEM ENGAGEMENT (OSTEM) $813