Finding 1173454 (2025-002)

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

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The University held $163,740 in excess cash for two months, violating the seven-day limit set by federal regulations.
  • Impacted Requirements: Non-compliance with cash management rules under 34 CFR §668.166 affects federal funding integrity.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement stronger controls for cash management to ensure compliance with federal requirements for future drawdowns.

Finding Text

Federal Program – Student Financial Assistance Cluster – Assistance Listing Numbers 84.007, Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants and 84.268, Federal Direct Student Loans – U.S. Department of Education Program Year 2024–2025 Criteria or Specific Requirement – Cash Management – 34 CFR §668 Subpart K Condition – The University maintained $163,740 of excess cash for the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants and Federal Direct Student Loans programs for approximately two months (July 25, 2024 through September 19, 2024), which exceeds the seven-day excess cash tolerance window outlined in 34 CFR §668.166. Questioned Costs – N/A Context – Out of a population of 23 cash drawdowns during fiscal year 2025, three were selected for testing. One of these drawdowns was not compliant with the cash management requirements. Our sample was not, and was not intended to be, statistically valid. Effect – The University did not appropriately return excess cash to the U.S. Department of Education and, therefore, was out of compliance with excess cash compliance requirements. Cause – The University did not have appropriate controls in place to ensure compliance with relevant requirements. Identification as a Repeat Finding – N/A Recommendation – The University should ensure the design and appropriate operating effectiveness of controls surrounding cash management compliance to ensure that all cash drawdowns are made and distributed to students in accordance with the relevant compliance requirements. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions – Management agrees with the finding. See attached corrective action plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Identification Number: 2025‑002 – Cash Management Finding: The University maintained excess cash for Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants and Federal Direct Student Loans beyond the seven‑day tolerance period, resulting in noncompliance with cash management requirements. Corrective Action Plan: Management agrees with the finding. The University will strengthen internal controls over cash drawdowns and excess cash monitoring to ensure compliance with federal regulations. Procedures will be implemented to require regular review of drawdown activity and timely reconciliation of funds to student disbursements. Any identified excess cash will be returned within the allowable timeframe. Responsible Officials and Implementation Date: The Director of Student Financial Services, in coordination with the Vice President for Administration and Finance, will monitor cash drawdowns and excess cash balances. Procedures will be implemented immediately and fully in place by March 1, 2026.

Categories

Cash Management

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1173450 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1173451 2025-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1173452 2025-006
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1173453 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