Finding 1173457 (2025-005)

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

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: A student received a Direct Unsubsidized Loan despite not meeting the maximum timeframe for satisfactory academic progress.
  • Impacted Requirements: Eligibility criteria under 34 CFR §668.34 were not met, leading to ineligibility for $2,919 in funding.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The University needs to improve controls to verify satisfactory academic progress before disbursing funds to ensure compliance.

Finding Text

Federal Program – Student Financial Assistance Cluster – Assistance Listing Number 84.268, Federal Direct Student Loans – U.S. Department of Education Program Year 2024–2025 Criteria or Specific Requirement – Eligibility – 34 CFR §668.34 Condition – One student who received a Direct Unsubsidized Loan for the Spring 2025 semester did not meet the maximum timeframe element of the satisfactory academic progress requirements as of the beginning of that semester. Questioned Costs – $2,919 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, one was identified as not meeting the maximum timeframe satisfactory academic progress requirement and, therefore, was ineligible to receive the funding received for the Spring 2025 term. Our sample was not, and was not intended to be, statistically valid. Effect – The University disbursed $2,919 of Title IV funds to a student who was not eligible for this funding. Cause – The University did not have appropriate controls in place to ensure satisfactory academic progress requirements were properly met 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 satisfactory academic progress 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: 2025‑005 – Satisfactory Academic Progress Finding: One student received Direct Unsubsidized Loan funds despite not meeting maximum timeframe requirements for satisfactory academic progress at the beginning of the Spring 2025 semester. Corrective Action Plan: Management agrees with the finding. The University will strengthen controls to ensure satisfactory academic progress is fully evaluated and documented prior to the disbursement of Title IV funds. A review checkpoint will be added to verify eligibility before loan disbursements are released. Responsible Officials and Implementation Date: The Director of Student Financial Services will be responsible for this corrective action. Updated review procedures will be implemented by February 16, 2026.

Categories

Student Financial Aid Eligibility

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
  • 1173454 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1173455 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1173456 2025-004
    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