Finding 1181712 (2025-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-03-20
Audit: 392964
Organization: Rockhurst University (MO)
Auditor: RUBINBROWN LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: One student did not receive required exit counseling materials within the 30-day timeframe after withdrawal.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with Federal Student Aid Handbook guidelines for timely exit counseling is not being met.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Financial Aid should revise processes to ensure all students receive exit counseling within 30 days of withdrawal.

Finding Text

Finding 2025-001 - Significant Deficiency, Compliance Federal Assistance Listing No. 84.268 U.S. Department Of Education Student Financial Aid Cluster - Special Tests And Provisions Criteria: According to the Federal Student Aid Handbook, Volume 2, Chapter 6, a University must confirm that the student has completed face-to-face or online counseling, or that the student has been mailed exit loan counseling material within 30 days of learning the student has withdrawn or failed to participate in an exit counseling session. Condition: In our nonstatistical sample of 40 students, it was noted for one individual that the student had not completed exit counseling and the communication of exit counseling materials had not been completed within the 30-day threshold after learning that the student withdrew from the University. Cause: Management charged with oversight did not have proper processes and related controls in place to complete the exit counseling requirement within 30 days of the date the University determined the student withdrew. Effect: Students are not properly informed of their responsibilities for the repayment of loans received once leaving the University. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs to report as this finding relates only to exit counseling and is not related to eligibility. Context: The student in question was not provided exit counseling materials after the student was dismissed from the University in the Fall 2024 semester until after it was brought to the attention of management as part of our testing procedures. Identification As A Repeat Finding: Not applicable. Recommendation: The Financial Aid department should review and consider revisions to its processes and related controls in place to complete the exit counseling requirements for all students who have exited the University within 30 days of the date of the student’s exit. Views Of Responsible Officials/Corrective Action Plan (Unaudited): The University concurs with this finding. The Financial Aid office is in the process of tightening its policies and procedures to identify all students subject to the required exit counseling, with the goal of delivering said counseling within the prescribed 30-day window. Completion Date: June 2026 Contact Person: Dane Fuhrman, CFO

Corrective Action Plan

Finding No. 2025-001 Corrective Action Plan: The University concurs with this finding. The Financial Aid office is in the process of tightening its policies and procedures to identify all students subject to the required exit counseling, with the goal of delivering said counseling within the prescribed 30-day window. Responsible Official: Dane Fuhrman, CFO Anticipated Completion Date: June 2026

Categories

Student Financial Aid Special Tests & Provisions Eligibility Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 FEDERAL DIRECT STUDENT LOANS $25.42M
84.063 FEDERAL PELL GRANT PROGRAM $2.80M
84.033 FEDERAL WORK-STUDY PROGRAM $288,073
84.007 FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANTS $286,201
84.038 FEDERAL PERKINS LOAN PROGRAM_FEDERAL CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS $284,518
93.364 NURSING STUDENT LOANS $168,736
47.076 STEM EDUCATION (FORMERLY EDUCATION AND HUMAN RESOURCES) $118,850
21.027 CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS $94,391
43.008 OFFICE OF STEM ENGAGEMENT (OSTEM) $29,908
94.006 AMERICORPS STATE AND NATIONAL 94.006 $11,311
84.379 TEACHER EDUCATION ASSISTANCE FOR COLLEGE AND HIGHER EDUCATION GRANTS (TEACH GRANTS) $5,649