Finding 1176982 (2025-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-03-09
Audit: 390824
Organization: University of St. Thomas (TX)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The University improperly calculated the return of Title IV funds for one out of six sampled cases, leading to an understatement of $353.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with federal regulations (34 CFR 668.22) regarding the return of Title IV funds is essential, and current internal controls are inadequate.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The University should enhance monitoring controls to ensure accurate calculations of Title IV returns, verifying all amounts and dates used in the process.

Finding Text

Special Tests and Provisions – Return of Title IV Funds Student Financial Assistance Cluster, Assistance Listing Number 84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans, Assistance Listing Number 84.063 Federal Grant Program, Assistance Listing Number 84.007 Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants U.S. Department of Education Program Year 2024–2025 Type of Finding: Other Instance of Noncompliance and Deficiency Criteria: Management is responsible for compliance with Special Tests and Provisions – Return of Title IV Funds procedures in accordance with the Uniform Guidance. (34 CFR 668.22) Condition: Federal regulations provide that the University is responsible for properly calculating return of Title IV Funds. The University’s internal control system did not prevent a return from being improperly calculated. Questioned Costs: One out of the six returns was not calculated properly, resulting in the return being understated by $353. Assistance Listing Number 84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans Context: Out of a population of 54 withdrawn students requiring return of Title IV funds, a sample of six withdrawn students were selected for testing. One out of the six returns was not calculated properly, resulting in the return being understated by $353. Our sampling method was not, and was not intended to be statically valid. Effect: Failure to properly calculate return of Title IV funds may result in the University disbursing the incorrect amount of returns. Cause: The University’s processes did not ensure that return of Title IV funds were being calculated properly. Repeat Finding: 2024-002 Recommendation: We recommend the University evaluate controls around monitoring return of Title IV calcuations, ensuring the amounts and dates utilized in the calculation forms are correct. Views of Responsible Officials: Management concurs with the finding and recommendation. See further information on the corrective action plan provided by management.

Corrective Action Plan

Reference Number: 2025-001 Finding: Other Instance of Noncompliance and Deficiency Status: In-Progress Corrective Action: An instance was found where the R2T4 calculation for one student had a typo of the incorrect date. This was subsequently corrected. We reviewed this student record and concluded that it was a human error made. There is no pattern of incorrect information being used. To avoid future errors, the Assistant Director will meet with the Dean monthly and we will review completed R2T4's during that period. We believe having another pair of eyes to review the work completed will be sufficient to correct any inconsistencies. Person(s) Responsible for Implementing: Lynda McKendree, Dean of Scholarships and Financial Aid and Thuylieu Aligo, Assistant Director of Scholarships and Financial Aid. Implementation Date: 1/27/2026

Categories

Special Tests & Provisions Student Financial Aid Subrecipient Monitoring Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1176980 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1176981 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 FEDERAL DIRECT STUDENT LOANS $14.93M
84.063 FEDERAL PELL GRANT PROGRAM $11.08M
84.031 HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONAL AID $511,171
84.033 FEDERAL WORK-STUDY PROGRAM $273,989
84.007 FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANTS $273,166
84.116 FUND FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION $191,591
47.070 COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING $135,515
84.016 UNDERGRADUATE INTERNATIONAL STUDIES AND FOREIGN LANGUAGE PROGRAMS $103,410
47.049 MATHEMATICAL AND PHYSICAL SCIENCES $79,487
10.684 INTERNATIONAL FORESTRY PROGRAMS $49,405
84.120 MINORITY SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING IMPROVEMENT $38,151
45.310 GRANTS TO STATES $816