Finding 1165459 (2025-002)

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

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The College failed to accurately calculate and return Title IV funds for 25% of students tested, indicating a significant compliance deficiency.
  • Impacted Requirements: Non-compliance with 34 CFR 668.22 regarding timely and accurate refund calculations for students who withdraw.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The College should enhance training on Title IV fund regulations and strengthen controls to ensure accurate and timely returns of unearned aid.

Finding Text

2025-002 - 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 668.22 (a)(1) states “When a recipient of title IV grant or loan assistance withdraws from an institution during a payment period or period of enrollment in which the recipient began attendance, the institution must determine the amount of title IV grant or loan assistance that the student earned as of the student's withdrawal date in accordance with paragraph (e) of this section.” 34 CFR 668.22 (e)(2) states, “The percentage of title IV grant or loan assistance that has been earned by the student is - (i) Equal to the percentage of the payment period or period of enrollment that the student completed (as determined in accordance with paragraph (f) of this section) as of the student's withdrawal date, if this date occurs on or before - (A) Completion of 60 percent of the payment period or period of enrollment for a program that is measured in credit hours; or…” 34 CFR 668.22(j) notes, “(1) An institution must return the amount of title IV funds for which it is responsible under paragraph (g) of this section as soon as possible but no later than 45 days after the date of the institution's determination that the student withdrew as defined in paragraph (l)(3) of this section. The timeframe for returning funds is further described in § 668.173(b).” An institution must notify the student of a post-withdrawal disbursement of Federal Direct Loans used to credit the student’s account for outstanding charges (34 CFR 668.22). Condition: The College did not accurately timely and accurately complete refund calculations for 1 out of 4 students (25%) tested. We consider this finding to be a significant deficiency in relation to the Special Tests and Provisions compliance requirement and is a repeat finding shown in Section IV of this report as prior year finding 2024-005. Questioned Costs: $6,355 Effect: Miscalculation of the percentage of days attended in the Return of Title IV funds calculations results in incorrect amounts returned by the College. Recommendation: We recommend the College continually educate themselves on the requirements for the return of title IV fund and ensure the proper controls are implemented to timely and accurately return unearned 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: The College did not accurately timely and accurately complete refund calculations for 1 out of 4 students (25%) tested. We consider this finding to be a significant deficiency in relation to the Special Tests and Provisions compliance requirement and is a repeat finding shown in Section IV of this report as prior year finding 2024-005. Corrective Action Plan: Cynthia Lawrence in the Business Office will conduct a secondary full review of each R2T4 form completed by Hannah Masters, the student’s account statement and balance in Jenzabar, the withdrawal form supplied by the Registrar, the withdrawal date reported in Jenzabar by the Registrar, and any last date of attendance documentation provided by faculty or the Registrar. If any discrepancies are identified, Cynthia will notify both Hannah Masters and the Registrar’s team by email, outlining the issue. Once corrections are submitted, Cynthia will review the updated materials to ensure accuracy and compliance. Responsible Person for Correction Action Plan: Hannah Masters, Executive Director of Financial Aid and Student Accounts Cynthia Lawrence, Accounts Receivable / Staff Accountant Implementation Date for Corrective Action Plan: October 15, 2025

Categories

Student Financial Aid

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1165458 2025-001
    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