Finding 1168714 (2025-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
E
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-01-11
Audit: 380724
Organization: Montreat College (NC)
Auditor: SIKICH CPA LLC

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: 10% of student files reviewed were not properly awarded Direct loans, indicating a significant compliance deficiency.
  • Impacted Requirements: This finding relates to eligibility criteria for Direct Loans as outlined in 34 CFR 682.201, which mandates proper loan origination and documentation.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The College should assess and improve its policies and procedures to ensure accurate awarding of Title IV 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 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: 4 of the 40 student files (10%) we examined, we noted the students were not properly awarded Direct loans. We consider this condition to be a significant deficiency relating to the Eligibility compliance requirement and is a repeat finding shown in Section IV of this report as prior year finding 2024-004. Statistical sampling was not used in making sample selections. Questioned Costs: $0 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

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 Condition Found 4 of the 40 student files (10%) we examined, we noted the students were not properly awarded Direct loans. We consider this condition to be a significant deficiency relating to the Eligibility compliance requirement and is a repeat finding shown in Section IV of this report as prior year finding 2024-004. Statistical sampling was not used in making sample selections. Corrective Action Plan To address this finding, the Student Financial Services (SFS) team has implemented a Quality Assurance process designed to reconcile discrepancies between institutional and federal records: • Quality Assurance selection sets have been created to reconcile student grade level in Jenzabar with the grade level on the ISIR. • These QA queries will be run at multiple control points: o Prior to awarding Direct Loans o Prior to disbursement o At strategic intervals during the term to catch any subsequent changes • Identified discrepancies will be reviewed and corrected before aid is disbursed to ensure compliance with federal eligibility requirements. Responsible Person for Corrective Action Plan Deb Beck Implementation Date of Corrective Action Plan 10/1/2025

Categories

Student Financial Aid

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1168708 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1168709 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1168710 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1168711 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1168712 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1168713 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 FEDERAL DIRECT STUDENT LOANS $8.20M
84.063 FEDERAL PELL GRANT PROGRAM $2.16M
12.902 INFORMATION SECURITY GRANTS $157,801
97.037 HELENE RECOVERY $92,982
84.033 FEDERAL WORK-STUDY PROGRAM $91,575
12.905 CYBERSECURITY CORE CURRICULUM $69,216
84.007 FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANTS $62,837
84.184 SAFE AND DRUG-FREE SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES_NATIONAL PROGRAMS $21,892
21.019 CORONAVIRUS RELIEF FUND $7,344