Finding Text
Information on the Federal Program – Department of Education, Student Financial Assistance Cluster, Federal Pell Grant Program, 84.063; Federal Work-Study Program, 84.033; Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program, 84.007; Federal Direct Student Loan Program, 84.268. Program Year – July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025 Criteria or Specific Requirement – Special Tests and Provisions – Return of Title IV Funds – When a recipient of Title IV grant or loan 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. 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 as outlined in this section as soon as possible but no later than 45 days after the date of the institution’s determination that the student withdrew (34 CFR Sections 668.22(a)(1)-(3)). Condition – The earned percentage, based upon the enrollment period determined and the amount of aid to return, was calculated incorrectly. The University returned the incorrect amount of funds to the Department of Education because of the error in the calculation. Questioned Costs – None – The University returned more Title IV aid than what was required Context – Of a sample of 25 return of funds tested from a population of 435 performed during the examination period, three return of funds calculations were not performed correctly. This resulted in an incorrect amount of funds being returned to the Department of Education for those students. Our sample was not, and was not intended to be, statistically valid. Cause – The number of days in the break for students who were enrolled in a Session 2 class and later dropped in Session 4 was calculated incorrectly when determining the enrollment period. Effect – The University returned the incorrect amount of funds to the Department of Education. Identification as a Repeat Finding – N/A Recommendation – We recommend the University to establish a formal checklist to assist in performing secondary reviews to verify the calculations are performed correctly.