Finding 1173694 (2025-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-02-16
Audit: 387403
Organization: Maine College of Art and Design (ME)
Auditor: WIPFLI LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The College reported incorrect disbursement dates in the COD system, leading to potential inaccuracies in student loan interest calculations.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with financial reporting standards, specifically ensuring disbursement dates align with actual fund credits to student accounts.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement procedures to ensure accurate communication of disbursement dates to those updating the COD system.

Finding Text

Finding Number: 2025-001 Repeat Finding: No Major Programs: 84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans Program Federal Agency: Department of Education Award Year: July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025 Compliance Requirement: Financial reporting Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Description: Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) System Reporting Questioned Costs: None Criteria: The College should maintain procedures to verify the disbursement dates in the recorded in the COD System agree to the date funds are credited to a student’s account in the institution’s general ledger. Condition and Context: During testing of COD reporting it was noted all disbursements made on January 29, 2025 were reported to the COD system with a disbursement date of January 30, 2025. Effect: Students interest accrues based on the disbursement date reported to COD for Direct Loan disbursements, thus interest calculation for loans could be skewed due to the discrepancy in disbursement dates reported. Possible Cause: The College did not update the disbursement date from the expected disbursement date in the COD system. It appears to be a miscommunication matter. Recommendation: We recommend the College implement procedures to properly communicate the actual disbursement date to individuals responsible with updating the COD System. View of Responsible Officials: The College agrees with the finding.

Corrective Action Plan

In order to maintain procedures to verify the disbursement dates in the COD System agree to the date funds are credited to the student’s account in the colleges Accounts Receivable subledger to the general ledger, the institute has updated its procedures. The Financial Aid Office will adjust the scheduled disbursement date according to updated procedures when disbursement occurs earlier than the scheduled date to ensure accuracy of reporting data to COD. These are updates to the current Disbursement Policy and Procedures.

Categories

Student Financial Aid Reporting Significant Deficiency Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 FEDERAL DIRECT STUDENT LOANS $4.77M
84.063 FEDERAL PELL GRANT PROGRAM $858,603
84.007 FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANTS $95,052
84.033 FEDERAL WORK-STUDY PROGRAM $77,902