Finding 1174842 (2025-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-02-20
Audit: 388422
Auditor: EIDE BAILLY LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Errors in calculating the Return of Title IV funds for students at Miramar and Mesa Colleges, leading to noncompliance with federal requirements.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with 34 CFR 668.22 regarding the accurate calculation of Title IV aid earned and the return of unearned funds.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Improve internal controls to ensure accurate calculations and timely returns of Title IV funds.

Finding Text

Special Tests and Provisions – Return of Title IV Funds Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education (ED) Pass-Through Entity: Direct funded by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) Program Name: Student Financial Assistance Cluster Assistance Listing Numbers: 84.007, 84.033, 84.063, and 84.268 Award Identification Number: P007A230565, P007A240565, P007A240568, P007A244666, P033A230565, P033A230568, P033A234666, P033A240565, P033A240568, P033A244666, P063P230042, P063P230043, P063P230636, P063P240042, P063P240043, P063P240636, P268K240042, P268K240043, P268K240636, P268K250042, P268K250043, P268K250636 Award Year: 2024-2025 Criteria 34 CFR 668.22(a), 34 CFR 668.22(e), and 34 CFR 668.22(f) When a recipient of Title IV assistance withdraws from an institution during a payment period or period of enrollment in which the recipient began attendance, the institution must determine the amount of Title IV aid earned by the student as of the student’s withdrawal date. The amount of Title IV assistance that is earned by the student is calculated by determining the percentage of aid earned by the student and applying the percentage to the total amount of Title IV assistance that was disbursed and that could have been disbursed to the student. If the total amount of Title IV assistance earned by the student is less than the amount that was disbursed to the student, or on his or her behalf, as of the date of the institution’s determination that the student withdrew, the difference must be returned to the Title IV programs. For programs measured in credit hours, the percentage of aid earned by the student is determined by dividing the total number of calendar days in the payment period or period of enrollment into the number of calendar days completed in that period as of the student’s withdrawal date. The total number of calendar days in a payment period or period of enrollment includes all days within the period that the student was scheduled to complete, except that scheduled breaks of at least five consecutive days are excluded from the total number of calendar days in a payment period or period of enrollment and the number of calendar days completed in that period. The unearned amount of Title IV assistance to be returned is calculated by subtracting the amount of title IV assistance earned by the student as calculated under paragraph (e)(1) of this section from the amount of title IV aid that was disbursed to the student as of the date of the institution’s determination that the student withdrew. Condition Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance and Noncompliance – The following deficiencies were noted:  1 of 60 students’ Return of Title IV calculation was calculated incorrectly for Miramar College (the College did not exclude the scheduled breaks from the total number of calendar days in the payment period or period of enrollment).  1 of 60 students’ Return of Title IV calculation was calculated incorrectly for Mesa College (the College excluded scheduled breaks from the total number of calendar days in the payment period or period of enrollment when the courses in the program were offered in modules and did not have scheduled breaks of at least five consecutive days).  1 of 60 students’ Return of Title IV funds was returned in the incorrect amount for Mesa College (the College had a transposition error in the institution’s required amount to return). Questioned Costs There are no questioned costs associated with the condition identified. Context There were approximately 1,527 Return of Title IV calculations performed during the year ended June 30, 2025. Effect The District is not in compliance with the Federal Return of Title IV requirements described in the OMB Compliance Supplement. Cause The District’s internal controls were not adequately designed to prevent erroneous information utilized in the calculations and to ensure funds are returned accurately. Repeat Finding (Yes or No) No. Recommendation The District should strengthen internal controls over the review of Return of Title IV calculations to ensure that calculations and funds returned are accurate.

Corrective Action Plan

Views of Responsible Officials and Corrective Action Plan We concur. Management has revised its procedures for R2T4, as well as added additional monthly review to ensure compliance.

Categories

Special Tests & Provisions Student Financial Aid Subrecipient Monitoring Significant Deficiency Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1174838 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1174839 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1174840 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1174841 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1174843 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1174844 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1174845 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1174846 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1174847 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 FEDERAL DIRECT STUDENT LOANS $5.41M
84.007 FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANTS $1.87M
84.033 FEDERAL WORK-STUDY PROGRAM $1.50M
21.027 CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS $816,892
84.031 HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONAL AID $591,991
84.126 REHABILITATION SERVICES VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION GRANTS TO STATES $538,706
84.382 STRENGTHENING MINORITY-SERVING INSTITUTIONS $440,481
84.042 TRIO STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES $367,952
84.047 TRIO UPWARD BOUND $336,954
17.289 COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING/CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING $233,010
84.116 FUND FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION $185,679
84.048 CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION -- BASIC GRANTS TO STATES $185,254
84.002 ADULT EDUCATION - BASIC GRANTS TO STATES $111,169
10.558 CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM $87,911
93.558 TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES $64,667
84.063 FEDERAL PELL GRANT PROGRAM $58,315
47.070 COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING $47,604
47.076 STEM EDUCATION (FORMERLY EDUCATION AND HUMAN RESOURCES) $42,051
93.859 BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH AND RESEARCH TRAINING $32,603
94.006 AMERICORPS STATE AND NATIONAL 94.006 $30,303
64.117 SURVIVORS AND DEPENDENTS EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE $23,392
43.008 OFFICE OF STEM ENGAGEMENT (OSTEM) $12,500
10.223 HISPANIC SERVING INSTITUTIONS EDUCATION GRANTS $8,686