Finding 1190934 (2025-004)

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

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: A Title IV credit balance was applied to a future term without the required written authorization from the student.
  • Impacted Requirements: The University failed to comply with Department of Education regulations regarding the handling of Title IV credit balances.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement policies and monitoring procedures to ensure timely refunds or proper documentation for holding Title IV credit balances.

Finding Text

2025-004 – Title IV Credit Balances Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Federal Program Name: Federal Pell Grant Program, Federal Direct Student Loans, Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants, Federal Work-Study Program Assistance Listing Number: 84.063, 84.268, 84.007, 84.033 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: P268K241818; P268K251818; P063P231818; P063P241818; P007A232600; PA007A242600; P033A242600 - 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: The Department of Education requires the University to obtain written authorization to hold a Title IV credit balance to apply to future charges within the same academic year. Condition: Testing identified that for 1 out of 40 students, a Title IV credit balance was applied to a subsequent academic term without obtaining written authorization from the student. Questioned costs: None. Context: During our testing, it was noted that a student had a Title IV credit balance and balance was applied to a subsequent term without obtaining written authorization from the student. Cause: The University did not have policies or procedures in place to ensure written authorization for holding Title IV credit balances was obtained and retained. Effect: The University did not comply with Title IV requirements related to the handling of student credit balances. Repeat finding: No. Recommendation: We recommend the University implement policies and monitoring procedures to ensure Title IV credit balances are either refunded to students in a timely manner or supported by documented written authorization. Views of responsible officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.

Corrective Action Plan

2025-004 Federal Pell Grant Program, Federal Direct Student Loans, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, Federal Work-Study Program – Assistance Listing No. 84.063, 84.268, 84.007, 84.033 Recommendation: We recommend the University implement policies and monitoring procedures to ensure Title IV credit balances are either refunded to students in a timely manner or supported by documented written authorization. Explanation of disagreement with audit finding: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Action taken in response to finding: Rider University concurs with the finding. This was an isolated instance due to prorated tuition charge that was excluded during the Title IV credit balance assessment. The University will work with OIT to ensure the systemic review process is inclusive of all prorated charges. Rider has updated the university’s frequency in their Reporting procedures to ensure this process is completely 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 Subrecipient Monitoring Significant Deficiency

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1190929 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1190930 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1190931 2025-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1190932 2025-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1190933 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