Finding 1182280 (2025-002)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-03-24
Audit: 393679
Organization: Illinois Wesleyan University (IL)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: One out of five student files had verification errors due to improper documentation and incomplete review steps.
  • Impacted Requirements: Institutions must verify FAFSA information before disbursing Title IV aid, as per federal regulations.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Strengthen internal controls by implementing secondary reviews, enhancing staff training, and ensuring timely corrections.

Finding Text

2025 – 002: Special Tests and Provision: Verification Reporting Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Federal Program Name: Student Financial Assistance Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 84.007 (Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants Program), 84.033 (Federal Work Study Program), 84.038 (Federal Perkins Loan Program), 84.063 (Federal Pell Grant Program), 84.268 (Federal Direct Student Loans Program), 93.364 (Nursing Student Loans) Federal Award Identification Number and Year: N/A; 2024-2025 Award Period: August 1, 2024 – July 31, 2025 Pass-Through Agency: N/A Pass-Through Numbers: N/A Criteria or Specific Requirement: Per 34 CFR 668.51–668.61, institutions must verify selected FAFSA information prior to disbursing Title IV aid. Required data elements must be reviewed and validated using acceptable documentation. Discrepancies must be corrected and resubmitted through CPS. Title IV funds may not be disbursed until verification is complete, unless permitted under de minimis tolerance rules. Other Matters. Condition: While performing audit procedures, it was noted that 1 student of our sample of five (5) required verification, but was not performed properly. Questioned Costs: None Context: 1 of 5 student files tested contained verification errors. Errors included improper documentation and incomplete review steps Cause: The condition occurred due to insufficient review controls over the verification process and inconsistent application of institutional verification procedures. Staff training and oversight related to federal verification requirements were not adequate. Effect: Failure to properly complete verification may result in incorrect eligibility determinations and improper disbursements of federal student aid. Repeat Finding: No Recommendation: We recommend that the Institution strengthen internal controls over verification, including implementing a secondary review of all verified files, enhancing staff training, and ensuring timely submission of all corrections. Views of Responsible Officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.

Corrective Action Plan

Student Financial Assistance Cluster – Assistance Listing No. 84.007 (Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants Program), 84.033 (Federal Work Study Program), 84.038 (Federal Perkins Loan Program), 84.063 (Federal Pell Grant Program), 84.268 (Federal Direct Student Loans Program), 93.364 (Nursing Student Loans) Recommendation: We recommend that the Institution strengthen internal controls over verification, including implementing a secondary review of all verified files, enhancing staff training, and ensuring timely submission of all corrections Explanation of disagreement with audit finding: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Action taken in response to finding: The Financial Aid Office will no longer use the Verified Status Code of “S” to track a completed verification without the documented approval of the both the Director and Assistant Director. In addition, a secondary review of a select group of verified students mid-way through the year will be completed to ensure that verification was properly followed. Name(s) of the contact person(s) responsible for corrective action: Andrew Reddington, Director of Financial Aid Planned completion date for corrective action plan: This process will be implemented starting with the Spring 2026 semester. If the Department of Education has questions regarding this plan, please call Craig Maynard, Vice President of Business and Finance at 309-556-3021.

Categories

Student Financial Aid

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1182268 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1182269 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1182270 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1182271 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1182272 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1182273 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1182274 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1182275 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1182276 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1182277 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1182278 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1182279 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 FEDERAL DIRECT STUDENT LOANS $11.21M
84.063 FEDERAL PELL GRANT PROGRAM $3.15M
93.364 NURSING STUDENT LOANS $1.87M
47.076 STEM EDUCATION (FORMERLY EDUCATION AND HUMAN RESOURCES) $762,347
84.038 FEDERAL PERKINS LOAN PROGRAM_FEDERAL CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS $672,408
84.033 FEDERAL WORK-STUDY PROGRAM $265,652
84.007 FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANTS $189,390
84.016 UNDERGRADUATE INTERNATIONAL STUDIES AND FOREIGN LANGUAGE PROGRAMS $142,506
59.037 SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTERS $115,000
93.243 SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES PROJECTS OF REGIONAL AND NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE $46,520