Finding 1182638 (2025-002)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-03-25

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The College miscalculated Return to Title IV (R2T4) funds and failed to return them within the required 45 days.
  • Impacted Requirements: Violations of 34 CFR 668.22(f)(2)(i) regarding calculation of payment periods and 34 CFR 668.22(j)(1) for timely fund returns.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Review and improve R2T4 calculation procedures and implement formal checks to prevent future errors.

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: Per 34 CFR 668.22(f)(2)(i), the total number of calendar days in a payment period or period of enrollment includes all days within the period that the student was scheduled to complete, except that scheduled breaks of at least five consecutive days are excluded from the total number of calendar days in a payment period or period of enrollment and the number of calendar days completed in that period. The Code of Federal Regulations, 34 CFR 668.22(j)(1), states that an institution must return the amount of title IV funds for which it is responsible as soon as possible but no later than 45 days after the date of the institution's determination that the student withdrew. 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 incorrectly calculated Return to Title IV (R2T4) calculations and did not return Title IV funds within 45-days. Questioned costs: None. Context: During our testing of 40 R2T4 calculations, we identified that 15 had mechanically incorrect calculations by using the incorrect number of scheduled break days in the Spring term. Additionally, we identified 1 student with Title IV refund that was not returned within the 45-day requirement. Cause: The College was using the incorrect number of scheduled break days for Spring Term. Effect: The College could return incorrect amounts based off of their calculations, which could effect student repayment amounts based off of amount earned. Repeat Finding: Yes, 2024-003 Recommendation: We recommend that the College review policies and procedures related to R2T4 calculations to ensure calculations are performed correctly and timely. We also recommend the College implement formal review procedures to document the Return of Title IV calculations are being performed to minimize the likelihood that errors may go undetected and not be corrected in a timely manner. Views of responsible officials: Management agrees with the finding and has developed a plan to correct the finding.

Corrective Action Plan

Student Financial Assistance Cluster– Assistance Listing No. 84.063, 84.007, 84.033, 84.268 Recommendation: We recommend that the College review policies and procedures related to R2T4 calculations to ensure calculations are performed correctly and timely. We also recommend the College implement formal review procedures to document the Return of Title IV calculations are being performed to minimize the likelihood that errors may go undetected and not be corrected in a timely manner. Explanation of disagreement with audit finding: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Action taken in response to finding: NEO will check the scheduled break days before the beginning of each semester to make sure the correct number of days is entered into SOATBRK. Documentation will be retained to confirm that a check was performed. NEO performed the recalculations and is working with FSA to make corrections. Name(s) of the contact person(s) responsible for corrective action: David Fisher and Ashley Mayfield Planned completion date for corrective action plan: March 14, 2026.

Categories

Student Financial Aid Significant Deficiency Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1182628 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1182629 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1182630 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1182631 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1182632 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1182633 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1182634 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1182635 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1182636 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1182637 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1182639 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.063 FEDERAL PELL GRANT PROGRAM $7.26M
84.268 FEDERAL DIRECT STUDENT LOANS $5.43M
21.027 CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS $683,639
84.047 TRIO UPWARD BOUND $370,994
84.031 HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONAL AID $289,305
84.042 TRIO STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES $251,908
84.033 FEDERAL WORK-STUDY PROGRAM $136,852
84.002 ADULT EDUCATION - BASIC GRANTS TO STATES $134,013
84.007 FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANTS $126,384
93.575 CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT $86,881
84.048 CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION -- BASIC GRANTS TO STATES $46,953
10.559 SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN $39,414
84.335 CHILD CARE ACCESS MEANS PARENTS IN SCHOOL $33,428
93.788 OPIOID STR $27,744
93.558 TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES $12,064
93.970 HEALTH PROFESSIONS RECRUITMENT PROGRAM FOR INDIANS $9,267