Finding Text
Federal Program Information: Federal Pell Grant Program (ALN: 84.063) Criteria or Specific Requirement (Including Statutory, Regulatory or Other Citation): C. Cash Management - Institutions are permitted to draw down Title IV funds prior to disbursing funds to eligible students and parents. The institution’s request must not exceed the amount immediately needed to disburse funds to students or parents. A disbursement of funds occurs on the date an institution credits a student’s account or pays a student or parent directly with either student financial aid funds or institutional funds. The institution must make the disbursements as soon as administratively feasible, but no later than 3 business days following the receipt of funds. Any amounts not disbursed by the end of the third business day are considered to be excess cash and generally are required to be promptly returned to the U.S. Department of Education (the “ED”) (34 CFR section 668.166(a)(1)). Excess cash includes any funds received from the ED that are deposited or transferred to the institution’s Federal account as a result of an award adjustment, cancellation, or recovery. However, an excess cash balance tolerance is allowed if that balance: (1) is less than one percent of its prior-year drawdowns; and (2) is eliminated within the next 7 calendar days (34 CFR sections 668.166(a) and (b)). Condition: During our cash management testing, we identified one instance during the year in which Title IV funds drawn were held in excess of the allowable time frame. Cause: Insufficient internal controls and administrative oversight with respect to Cash Management compliance requirements. Effect or Potential Effect: The College is not in compliance with Cash Management compliance requirements. While amounts were within allowable thresholds, certain funds were overdrawn and held in excess of the allowable time frame. Questioned Costs: None. Context: One instance of excess cash that was not eliminated within the allowable timeframe was identified for the Federal Pell Grant Program for the year ended May 31, 2025. Identification as a Repeat Finding: No similar findings noted in the prior year. Recommendation: We recommend the College enhance its internal controls, policies and procedures to ensure that an account review occurs no later than the third business date after a federal draw to determine whether amounts were appropriately disbursed in accordance with federal regulations or require a return to ED. Views of Responsible Officials: Management acknowledges the instance in which Title IV funds were held beyond the allowable timeframe under 34 CFR §668.166. Although the amount was within allowable tolerance thresholds and no questioned costs were identified, the College recognizes the need to strengthen internal controls over cash management compliance. To address this finding, the College will: • Implement a formal Title IV drawdown and disbursement monitoring procedure requiring review no later than the third business day following receipt of funds • Establish a standardized reconciliation process between the Business Office, Financial Aid Office, and Registrar to ensure timely identification of: o Students who have withdrawn o Enrollment status changes o Required returns of Title IV (R2T4) calculations • Develop a documented weekly reconciliation of federal drawdowns to disbursements and student account activity • Assign clear responsibility for monitoring excess cash thresholds and ensuring timely return of funds to the U.S. Department of Education when required • Provide cross-functional training to reinforce compliance requirements under federal cash management regulations These measures are intended to ensure timely disbursement of Title IV funds, proper reconciliation of enrollment changes, and full compliance with federal cash management requirements.