Finding 1165458 (2025-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
E
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2025-12-18
Audit: 376177
Organization: Cottey College (MO)
Auditor: SIKICH CPA LLC

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Two students (5.4%) were improperly awarded Direct Loans, indicating a compliance failure with eligibility requirements.
  • Impacted Requirements: Noncompliance with 34 CFR 682.201, which mandates proper loan origination and eligibility verification processes.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The College should review and improve its policies and procedures to ensure accurate awarding of Title IV aid.

Finding Text

2025-001 - Student Financial Aid Cluster - (a) Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (b) Federal Work Study Grant (c) Federal Pell Grant Program (d) Federal Direct Loan Program, Assistance Listing No. (a) 84.007 (b) 84.033 (c) 84.063 (d) 84.268 - Year Ended June 30, 2025 Criteria: 34 CFR 682.201 (a) (1-2) notes, “(1) To obtain a Direct Subsidized Loan or a Direct Unsubsidized Loan, a student must complete a Free application for Federal Student Aid and submit it in accordance with instructions in the application. (2) If the student is eligible for a Direct Subsidized Loan or a Direct Unsubsidized Loan, the school in which the student is enrolled must perform the following functions: (i) create a loan origination record and transmit the record to the Secretary. (ii) Ensure that the loan is supported by a completed Master Promissory Note (MPN) and, if applicable, transmit the MPN to the Secretary. (iii) In accordance with 34 CFR 668.162, draw down funds or receive funds from the Secretary, and disburse the funds to the student.” Condition: During our testing of thirty-seven student files, we noted two individuals (5.4%) that were not properly awarded Direct Loans. We consider this condition to be an instance of noncompliance relating to the Eligibility compliance requirement and is a repeat finding shown in Section IV of this report as prior year finding 2024-003. Statistical sampling was not used in making sample selections. Questioned Costs: $1,000 Cause and Effect: Without proper review of eligibility of financial aid, students may receive an incorrect amount of Title IV aid. Recommendation: We recommend the College evaluate policies and procedures to ensure students receive the proper amount of Title IV aid. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with this Single Audit Finding and response is included in the Corrective Action Plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Condition: During our testing of thirty-seven student files, we noted two individuals (5.4%) that were not properly awarded Direct Loans. Corrective Action Plan: Twice each Fall and Spring semester, Hannah Masters will request an updated report of enrolled student year status from the Registrar, Chayna Penney. She will compare these statuses to the year-in-school information reported by students on their FAFSA, which is housed in the PowerFAIDS software. If any discrepancies are identified, Hannah will submit a FAFSA correction on behalf of the student, import the correction into PowerFAIDS, and review and recalculate the student’s financial aid. The student will then be repackaged appropriately, and an updated aid offer will be generated. Finally, Hannah will notify the student by email regarding the changes made to their account and will connect them with the Business Office and Registrar’s Office for any additional follow-up. This process was completed on October 1, 2025, for the Fall 2025 term, and a second review for Fall 2025 is scheduled for December 1, 2025. Responsible Person for Correction Action Plan: Hannah Masters, Executive Director of Financial Aid Chayna Penney, Registrar Implementation Date for Corrective Action Plan: October 01, 2025

Categories

Student Financial Aid

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1165459 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 FEDERAL DIRECT STUDENT LOANS $1.03M
84.063 FEDERAL PELL GRANT PROGRAM $796,725
84.007 FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANTS $30,000
84.033 FEDERAL WORK-STUDY PROGRAM $29,746