Finding 1175757 (2025-005)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
P
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-02-27
Audit: 389665
Organization: High Point University (NC)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The University incorrectly calculated the Cost of Attendance for 5 out of 40 sampled students, leading to an overaward of federal aid.
  • Impacted Requirements: The University failed to comply with refund requirements, resulting in a $400 refund owed to the Department of Education.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Strengthen internal controls and ensure consistent adherence to policies and procedures for awarding federal aid.

Finding Text

Information on Federal Program ‒ SFA Cluster Criteria – Consistent with the requirements of 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart F, Part 3, the auditor is required to test internal controls related to major programs. The specific procedures to test internal control on a caseby- case basis considering factors such as the non-federal entity’s internal controls, the compliance requirements, the audit objectives for compliance, the auditor’s assessment of control risk, and the audit requirement to test internal controls. Condition – During our Controls testing of University awarding and billing procedures, we noted the following:  For 5 students out of 40 sampled, from a population of 3,115 students who received financial aid, the University incorrectly calculated the Cost of Attendance (COA). As a result of the incorrect COA, 1 student was overawarded for classes during the summer semester. The University refunded the Department of Education $400 due to the overaward. Cause – Management oversight and insufficient internal controls in the awarding procedures, resulting in 1 student being overawarded. Effect – The University was not in compliance with refund requirements as the University owes the Department of Education a refund for the overawarded amount. Questioned Costs – $400 Context – For 5 students out of 40 sampled, the University’s system overawarded based on an incorrect cost of attendance being used within the students awarding calculation. Indication of a Repeat Finding – This is a new finding in 2025. Recommendation – We recommend the University ensure its internal controls, policies, and procedures are followed on a consistent basis regarding the awarding of federal aid. Views of Responsible Officials – See corrective action plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Finding 2025-005 Program: SFA Cluster Assistance Listing No.: Various Federal Agency: Department of Education Award Year: FY 2024 – 2025 Compliance Requirement: Consistent with the requirements of 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart F, Part 3, the auditor is required to test internal controls related to major programs. The specific procedures to test internal control on a caseby-case basis considering factors such as the non-federal entity’s internal controls, the compliance requirements, the audit objectives for compliance, the auditor’s assessment of control risk, and the audit requirement to test internal controls. University’s Response: University management recognizes the finding and has addressed the issue. The Cost of Attendance calculation error affected a single student and resulted in an overaward of $400, which has been corrected and refunded to the Department of Education. Management believes the issue was isolated in nature and does not indicate a systemic weakness in the University’s awarding or billing processes. Corrective Action Plan The University reviewed the circumstances related to this finding and determined that the Cost of Attendance (COA) calculation error was limited in scope and affected a single student. The overaward of $400 has been corrected, and the required refund has been processed to the Department of Education. Management believes the condition was isolated in nature and does not indicate a systemic issue within the University’s awarding or billing processes. The University will continue to rely on its existing awarding and billing procedures, which are designed to support compliance with federal financial aid requirements. No additional corrective action is planned at this time. Existing procedures remain in effect. Name of the responsible person: Megan Inch, Associate Vice President of Student Financial Planning; Brad Calloway, Senior Vice President for Business Affairs Anticipated completion date: Resolved

Categories

Internal Control / Segregation of Duties Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1175753 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1175754 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1175755 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1175756 2025-004
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 FEDERAL DIRECT STUDENT LOANS $80.75M
84.063 FEDERAL PELL GRANT PROGRAM $4.88M
84.423 SUPPORTING EFFECTIVE EDUCATOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM $3.18M
64.028 POST-9/11 VETERANS EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE $2.47M
84.336 TEACHER QUALITY PARTNERSHIP GRANTS $2.39M
93.778 MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM $1.50M
93.279 DRUG USE AND ADDICTION RESEARCH PROGRAMS $455,625
84.007 FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANTS $312,701
84.033 FEDERAL WORK-STUDY PROGRAM $262,008
93.859 BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH AND RESEARCH TRAINING $126,794
93.959 BLOCK GRANTS FOR PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE $105,406
93.847 DIABETES, DIGESTIVE, AND KIDNEY DISEASES EXTRAMURAL RESEARCH $85,386
84.379 TEACHER EDUCATION ASSISTANCE FOR COLLEGE AND HIGHER EDUCATION GRANTS (TEACH GRANTS) $64,124
84.425 SUPPORTING EFFECTIVE EDUCATOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM $52,348
47.075 SOCIAL, BEHAVIORAL, AND ECONOMIC SCIENCES $36,905
12.420 MILITARY MEDICAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT $36,532
94.013 AMERICORPS VOLUNTEERS IN SERVICE TO AMERICA 94.013 $34,949
47.070 COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING $10,357
43.008 OFFICE OF STEM ENGAGEMENT (OSTEM) $4,218
10.328 FOOD SAFETY OUTREACH PROGRAM $661
84.032 FEDERAL FAMILY EDUCATION LOANS $0