Finding Text
Information on the Federal Program: PELL (ALN 84.063); United States Department of Education; Award Year 2024-25; Compliance requirement – Eligibility; Type of Finding: Questioned Costs. Criteria: The FAFSA Simplification Act requires that PELL awards be reduced in direct proportion to the degree to which the student is not enrolled full-time. Condition: For one student record tested, the student was over-awarded $3,698 in PELL grant funds, due to not applying the correct enrollment intensity of 50%. Student was awarded based on Maximum PELL award with no adjustment for less than full-time enrollment. Context: Total federal student aid awards tested: 49, totaling $795,831. Projected out to total aid population of $6,207,420, the likely questioned costs would be $28,844. Cause: Inadequate training in the Ellucian software system to verify the accuracy of student awards and identify over-awards. Effect or Possible Effect: Student was awarded more in aid than allowed. Questioned costs: Known questioned costs totaled $3,698. Recommendation: Return the over-awarded amount to U.S.Department of Education if required. Provide training to financial aid personnel on the federal return requirements and on the software system capabilities that identify student eligibility amounts. Responsible Official’s Response and Corrective Action Planned: See corrective action plan.