Finding 1173452 (2025-006)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
E
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-02-13

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Five students received Pell Grants they weren't eligible for, while two eligible students didn't get the full amount they should have.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with eligibility criteria under 34 CFR §690, Subpart F for Pell Grant funding.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Strengthen controls to ensure accurate Pell Grant calculations before funds are disbursed to students.

Finding Text

Federal Program – Student Financial Assistance Cluster – Assistance Listing Number 84.063 – U.S. Department of Education Program Year 2024–2025 Criteria or Specific Requirement – Eligibility – 34 CFR §690, Subpart F Condition – Five students received a Pell Grant who were not eligible to receive this funding, and two students did not receive a Pell Grant or the full amount of Pell Grant funding they were eligible to receive during the 2024–2025 academic year. Questioned Costs – $3,996 Context – Out of a population of 2,868 students who received Pell and/or Direct Loans in fiscal year 2025, 25 students were selected for testing. Of the 25 students tested, two were identified as not having received the full amount of Pell funding for which they were eligible. In addition, in testing return of Title IV funds, one student was noted to have received more Pell funding than they were eligible for, and upon further review, management identified an additional four students who received Pell funding who should not have. Our sample was not, and was not intended to be, statistically valid. Effect – The University disbursed $3,996 of Title IV funds to students who were not eligible for this funding, and two students did not receive the full amount of funding for which they were eligible. Cause – The University did not have appropriate controls in place to ensure Pell calculations were accurate prior to disbursing funding to students. Identification as a Repeat Finding – N/A Recommendation – The University should ensure the design and appropriate operating effectiveness of controls surrounding the review of Pell calculations prior to the disbursement of funds to students. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions – Management agrees with the finding. See attached corrective action plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Identification Number: 2025‑006 – Pell Grant Eligibility Finding: Pell Grant funds were disbursed to five students who were not eiligible, and two students did not receive the full Pell Grant amount for which they were eligible. Corrective Action Plan: Management agrees eith the finding. The University will implement enhanced review controls over Pell Grant eligibility and calculation prior to disbursement. This will include verification of eligibility data and a secondary review of Pell calculations to ensure accuracy and completeness before funds are released. Responsible Officials and Implementation Date: The Director of Student Financial Services will be responsible for implementing this corrective action, with the oversight from the Vice President for Administration and Finance. Enhanced controls will be implemented by February 16, 2026.

Categories

Student Financial Aid

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1173450 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1173451 2025-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1173453 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1173454 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1173455 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1173456 2025-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1173457 2025-005
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 FEDERAL DIRECT STUDENT LOANS $16.91M
21.027 CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS $11.19M
84.063 FEDERAL PELL GRANT PROGRAM $10.61M
15.114 INDIAN EDUCATION HIGHER EDUCATION GRANT $1.58M
93.558 TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES $791,018
84.047 TRIO UPWARD BOUND $453,496
84.033 FEDERAL WORK-STUDY PROGRAM $270,887
93.426 THE NATIONAL CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH PROGRAM $202,947
84.007 FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANTS $202,486
84.425 EDUCATION STABILIZATION FUND $100,291
43.001 SCIENCE $77,455
93.RD HHS RESEARCH $71,204
47.076 STEM EDUCATION (FORMERLY EDUCATION AND HUMAN RESOURCES) $51,080
47.083 INTEGRATIVE ACTIVITIES $46,756
84.031 HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONAL AID $39,941
84.184 SCHOOL SAFELY NATIONAL ACTIVITIES $28,786
64.116 VETERAN READINESS AND EMPLOYMENT $27,609
93.859 BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH AND RESEARCH TRAINING $187