Finding Text
Federal Agency: US Department of Education Federal Program Name: Student Financial Assistance Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 84.063, 84.007, 84.033, 84.268 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: P063P242037 - 2025, P007A243429 - 2025, P033A243429 - 2025, P268K252037 - 2025 Award Period: July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025 Type of Finding: • Compliance, Other Matter • Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria or specific requirement: 34 CFR 682.604, states that a school must ensure that exit counseling is conducted with each Stafford Loan borrower and graduate or professional student PLUS Loan borrower either in person, by audiovisual presentation, or by interactive electronic means. In each case, the school must ensure that this counseling is conducted shortly before the student borrower ceases at least half-time study at the school. Per 2 CFR 200.303, nonfederal entities receiving federal awards are required to establish and maintain internal controls designed to reasonably ensure compliance with federal laws, regulations, and program compliance requirements. Condition: The College did not properly have documentation of exit counseling notification. Questioned costs: None. Context: During our testing of 40 students, we identified 7 students that did not have documentation of exit counseling notification. Cause: The College did not have proper procedures in place to ensure that notification of required exit counseling was sent to applicable students. Effect: Exit counseling helps federal student loan borrowers understand how to repay their loans and reviews deferment and repayment plans options. If students are not notified of exit counseling, they could be at risk of not understanding their rights and responsibilities regarding loan repayment. Repeat Finding: No Recommendation: We recommend the College review reporting processes to ensure all students that require exit counseling receive it in a timely manner. Views of responsible officials: Management agrees with the finding and has developed a plan to correct the finding.