Finding 1190930 (2025-003)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-03-27
Audit: 395206
Organization: Rider University (NJ)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The University failed to report 6 out of 18 Pell Grant disbursements to the COD system within the required 15-day timeframe.
  • Impacted Requirements: This finding indicates a significant deficiency in internal controls over compliance with Department of Education regulations (34 CFR 690.83(b)(2) and 34 CFR 685.309).
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The University should enhance its policies and procedures for COD reporting to ensure timely and accurate disbursement reporting.

Finding Text

2025-003 – Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) Reporting Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Federal Program Name: Federal Pell Grant Program Assistance Listing Number: 84.063 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: P063P231818; P063P241818 - 2025 Award Period: 7/1/2024 – 6/30/2025 Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Over Compliance, Other Matters Criteria or specific requirement: Department of Education regulations require institutions to report Pell Grant and Direct Loan disbursement dates and amounts to the Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) system within 15 days of disbursement (34 CFR 690.83(b)(2) and 34 CFR 685.309). Condition: During our testing, we noted the University did not have adequate internal controls to ensure timely reporting to the COD. Questioned costs: None. Context: During our testing, we noted 6 out of 18 Pell disbursements were not reported within the 15 days required to the COD. Cause: The University’s procedures for timely reporting Pell Grant disbursements to COD were not functioning effectively. Effect: The University is not in compliance with COD reporting requirements. Repeat finding: No. Recommendation: We recommend the University review and enhance its policies and procedures related to COD reporting to ensure all disbursement information is reported accurately and within required timeframes. Views of responsible officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.

Corrective Action Plan

2025-003 Federal Pell Grant Program – Assistance Listing No. 84.063 Recommendation: We recommend the University review and enhance its policies and procedures related to COD reporting to ensure all disbursement information is reported accurately and within required timeframes. Explanation of disagreement with audit finding: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Action taken in response to finding: Rider University concurs with this finding. The University will implement a bi-weekly Pell Reconciliation process and procedure to ensure timely reporting to COD. Rider has updated the University’s frequency in their reporting procedures to ensure this process is completed accurately and timely. Name(s) of the contact person(s) responsible for corrective action: Jacqueline Watford Planned completion date for corrective action plan: Effectively Immediately

Categories

Student Financial Aid Reporting Significant Deficiency

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1190929 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1190931 2025-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1190932 2025-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1190933 2025-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1190934 2025-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1190935 2025-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1190936 2025-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1190937 2025-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1190938 2025-006
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1190939 2025-006
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 FEDERAL DIRECT STUDENT LOANS $25.56M
84.063 FEDERAL PELL GRANT PROGRAM $7.97M
84.038 FEDERAL PERKINS LOAN PROGRAM_FEDERAL CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS $771,877
84.033 FEDERAL WORK-STUDY PROGRAM $611,245
84.007 FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANTS $304,316
84.042 TRIO STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES $292,251
84.217 TRIO MCNAIR POST-BACCALAUREATE ACHIEVEMENT $262,284
47.074 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES $107,554
47.070 COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING $64,513
47.050 GEOSCIENCES $28,173
47.076 STEM EDUCATION (FORMERLY EDUCATION AND HUMAN RESOURCES) $20,782
84.379 TEACHER EDUCATION ASSISTANCE FOR COLLEGE AND HIGHER EDUCATION GRANTS (TEACH GRANTS) $5,658
81.049 OFFICE OF SCIENCE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM $1,884
94.005 LEARN AND SERVE AMERICA_HIGHER EDUCATION $1,718