Finding 1179420 (2025-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-03-13
Audit: 391821
Organization: Davenport University (MI)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The University failed to notify 117 out of 247 students about their direct loan disbursements, violating federal regulations.
  • Impacted Requirements: Timely notifications regarding disbursement dates, amounts, cancellation rights, and procedures were not provided as required by 34 CFR 668.165.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement a control system to ensure all students receiving federal loans receive the necessary post-disbursement notifications.

Finding Text

Assistance Listing Number, Federal Agency, and Program Name 84.268, U.S. Department of Education, Student Financial Assistance Program Federal Direct Student Loan Program Federal Award Identification Number and Year P268K241627, 2024 2025 Pass through Entity N/A Finding Type Material weakness and material noncompliance with laws and regulations Repeat Finding No Criteria For direct loan disbursement, the institution must provide timely notification to the student of the (1) date and amount of the disbursement, (2) student/parent’s right to cancel, and (3) procedure and time by which the student or parent must notify the institution that he or she wishes to cancel (34 CFR 668.165). Condition The University did not provide notifications to certain students related to direct loan disbursements. Questioned Costs None If Questioned Costs Are Not Determinable, Description of Why Known Questioned Costs Were Undetermined or Otherwise Could Not Be Reported N/A Identification of How Questioned Costs Were Computed N/A Context There were 7 students receiving direct loans in a sample of 40 students for disbursements who did not receive the notification. Cause and Effect A control was lacking to ensure the notifications were sent to all students receiving direct loans. Recommendation We recommend a control be implemented to ensure notifications are sent to all students receiving direct loans. Views of Responsible Officials and Corrective Action Plan While the University has documented procedures in place for the disbursement of federal funds and required post-disbursement notifications to students, the finding identified related to only students who received both a Federal PLUS loan and a Federal Direct Loan during 2025. University did not properly send a post-disbursement notification to 117 out of 247 students who received both a federal PLUS loan as well as a Federal Direct Loan on a specific date during fiscal year 2024-2025. The University will adjust its internal processes to ensure all students who receive federal loans are sent post-disbursement email notifications by performing a review of the IT system and working toward fully automated notification settings to ensure all students are captured in the post-disbursement notification process.

Corrective Action Plan

Condition: The College did not send out the post-disbursement email notifications to a group of students. Planned Corrective Action: While the University has documented procedures in place for the disbursement of federal funds and required post-disbursement notifications to students, the finding identified related to only students who received both a Federal PLUS loan and a Federal Direct Loan during 2025. University did not properly send a post-disbursement notification to 117 out of 247 students who received both a federal PLUS loan as well as a Federal Direct Loan on a specific date during fiscal year 2024-2025. The University will adjust its internal processes to ensure all students who receive federal loans are sent post-disbursement email notifications by performing a review of the IT system and working toward fully automated notification settings to ensure all students are captured in the post-disbursement notification process. Contact person responsible for corrective action: Leah Alderink, Director of Student Financial Aid Anticipated Completion Date: Immediately

Categories

Student Financial Aid Material Weakness Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 FEDERAL DIRECT STUDENT LOANS $32.59M
84.063 FEDERAL PELL GRANT PROGRAM $7.93M
84.007 FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANTS $436,277
84.033 FEDERAL WORK-STUDY PROGRAM $351,395
93.732 MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH EDUCATION AND TRAINING GRANTS $319,673
47.076 STEM EDUCATION (FORMERLY EDUCATION AND HUMAN RESOURCES) $88,024
84.116 FUND FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION $67,078
97.008 NON-PROFIT SECURITY PROGRAM $61,425
84.379 TEACHER EDUCATION ASSISTANCE FOR COLLEGE AND HIGHER EDUCATION GRANTS (TEACH GRANTS) $55,637
12.902 INFORMATION SECURITY GRANTS $2,146
84.425 EDUCATION STABILIZATION FUND $847
12.903 GENCYBER GRANTS PROGRAM $44