Finding 1175309 (2025-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-02-25
Audit: 389016
Organization: Aiken Technical College (SC)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The College did not transfer Title IV funds for eight out of sixty students within the required 45-day period after withdrawal.
  • Impacted Requirements: This violates Title 2 U.S. CFR Part 200, which mandates timely handling of federal funds.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The College should update its policies to ensure timely reviews and transfers of Title IV funds, and management is already working on implementing better controls.

Finding Text

AL#: 84.033, 84.007, 84.063, 84.268 Student Financial Aid Cluster Award Year: 2025 Criteria: Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance) require that, where there are Title IV funds to be returned, that they be deposited or transferred into the student financial aid account or an electronic funds transfer initiated to the Department of Education as soon as possible, but no later than 45 days after the institution determines that a student withdrew. Condition: There were eight of sixty students tested where the College failed to initiate the electronic funds transfer to the Department of Education within the 45-day timeframe. Context: We addressed this matter with College management who are aware of the requirements to properly review and when applicable, return funds in a timely manner. Effect: Failure to properly review and adhere to policies and procedures can lead to noncompliance and the misappropriation of federal funds that are not detected during the normal course of business. Cause: The lack of compliance is due to the College failing review student withdrawals in a timely manner. Recommendation: We recommend the College review and update its policies and procedures to ensure all Title IV funds are reviewed, and returned in a timely manner. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management concurs with the finding. The College is in the process of implementing controls and procedures to ensure that all Title IV funds are properly monitored and reviewed. Questioned Costs: None.

Corrective Action Plan

Management’s Corrective Action Plan: 1. Strengthen Interdepartmental Coordination Aiken Technical College will enhance collaboration between Academic Affairs, the Registrar, and Financial Aid to ensure timely and accurate reporting of Last Dates of Attendance (LDA). This includes: Establishing a standardized communication protocol for timely submission of LDAs following student withdrawals. Ensuring withdrawal data is entered into the student information system promptly to trigger R2T4 processing. 2. Faculty Communication and Compliance To reduce delays and improve reporting accuracy: Faculty will receive term-based reminders regarding the importance of accurate and timely drop/withdrawal reporting. Reminders will reinforce federal compliance expectations and highlight the downstream impact on student financial responsibility and institutional audit outcomes. 3. Policy and Procedure Revision The College will revise its policies and procedures to: Clearly define internal timelines, responsibilities, and handoff points across departments. Increase transparency of each step in the workflow to improve consistency and reduce processing errors. Support a collaborative, student-centered process that aligns with Aiken Technical College’s commitment to regulatory excellence and audit readiness. Responsible Official: Melinda Rodgers, VP Enrollment Mgmt. & Student Affairs Anticipated Implementation Date: Fiscal Year 2026

Categories

Student Financial Aid Allowable Costs / Cost Principles

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1175306 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1175307 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1175308 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.063 FEDERAL PELL GRANT PROGRAM $6.66M
84.268 FEDERAL DIRECT STUDENT LOANS $1.71M
84.048 CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION -- BASIC GRANTS TO STATES $203,578
17.261 WORKFORCE DATA QUALITY INITIATIVE (WDQI) $162,123
81.104 ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION AND WASTE PROCESSING AND DISPOSAL $145,961
84.007 FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANTS $96,758
84.033 FEDERAL WORK-STUDY PROGRAM $27,232