Finding 1191222 (2025-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-03-27
Audit: 395369
Organization: University of Pikeville (KY)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The University incorrectly classified a student as withdrawn for R2T4 calculations, affecting compliance with federal regulations.
  • Impacted Requirements: Failure to follow 34 CFR 668.22(a) led to erroneous R2T4 calculations and withdrawal reports for six students.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Strengthen internal controls by evaluating coursework for half-time status, training staff on withdrawal determinations, and implementing supervisory reviews of R2T4 calculations.

Finding Text

Federal Program: U.S. Department of Education Student Financial Assistance Cluster: Federal Direct Student Loans, Federal Assistance Listing 84.268 Criteria: The University must comply with 34 CFR 668.22(a). Condition: During our testing of six official withdrawals, we noted one instance where the University incorrectly treated a student as withdrawn for Return of Title IV (R2T4) purposes. The student was enrolled in both modules for the Fall term, earned six credit hours in the first module and subsequently withdrew during the second module. The University reported the student as withdrawn to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) and performed a R2T4 calculation using the total days of both modules in the denominator of the R2T4 calculation. However, since the student successfully completed six credit hours in the first module, which exceeds the coursework required for the University's definition of half-time enrollment, the student should not have been classified as withdrawn nor had a R2T4 calculation performed. Upon further analysis from management, there were an additional five students that were enrolled in modules, earning half-time enrollment, who were reported as withdrawn to the NSLDS and a R2T4 calculation was erroneously completed for them. Cause: This error occurred due to inadequate internal controls over identifying withdrawal status for students enrolled in module courses, specifically related to assessing whether completed coursework met or exceeded the half-time enrollment threshold prior to performing an R2T4 calculation or reporting them as withdrawn to the NSLDS. Effect: The provisions of 34 CFR 668.22(a) were not followed and thus a total of six students had a R2T4 calculation erroneously performed. Six students were also erroneously reported as withdrawn to the NSLDS. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs associated with this finding. Recommendation: We recommend that the University strengthen its internal controls related to R2T4 calculations by: (a) implementing a system control to evaluate whether or not completed module coursework meets the half-time threshold before classifying a student as withdrawn, (b) providing additional training to financial aid staff on withdrawal determinations and performing an R2T4 calculation for students enrolled in modules, and (c) performing a supervisory review of all R2T4 calculations related to module students. Views of responsible officials and planned corrective actions: We agree with this finding and recommendation. After further review of R2T4 rules for module programs, the University will no longer perform R2T4 calculations on any student that has met the exemption rules per FSA handbook, Vol 5, Chapter 1, R2T4 Withdrawal Exemptions.

Corrective Action Plan

Federal Program: U.S. Department of Education Student Financial Assistance Cluster: Federal Direct Student Loans, Federal Assistance Listing 84.268 Criteria: The University must comply with 34 CFR 668.22(a). Condition: During our testing of six official withdrawals, we noted one instance where the University incorrectly treated a student as withdrawn for Return of Title IV (R2T4) purposes. The student was enrolled in both modules for the Fall term, earned six credit hours in the first module and subsequently withdrew during the second module. The University reported the student as withdrawn to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) and performed a R2T4 calculation using the total days of both modules in the denominator of the R2T4 calculation. However, since the student successfully completed six credit hours in the first module, which exceeds the coursework required for the University's definition of half time enrollment, the student should not have been classified as withdrawn nor had a R2T4 calculation performed. Upon further analysis from management, there were an additional five students that were enrolled in modules, earning half-time enrollment, who were reported as withdrawn to the NSLDS and a R2T4 calculation was erroneously completed for them. Cause: This error occurred due to inadequate internal controls over identifying withdrawal status for students enrolled in module courses, specifically related to assessing whether completed coursework met or exceeded the half-time enrollment threshold prior to performing an R2T4 calculation or reporting them as withdrawn to the NSLDS. Effect: The provisions of 34 CFR 668.22(a) were not followed and thus a total of six students had a R2T4 calculation erroneously performed. Six students were also erroneously reported as withdrawn to the NSLDS. Questioned Costs: There were no questioned costs associated with this finding Recommendation: We recommend that the University strengthen its internal controls related to R2T4 calculations by: (a) implementing a system control to evaluate whether or not completed module coursework meets the half-time threshold before classifying a student as withdrawn, (b) providing additional training to financial aid staff on withdrawal determinations and performing an R2T4 calculation for students enrolled in modules, and (c) performing a supervisory review of all R2T4 calculations related to module students. Corrective Actions Taken or Planned: We agree with this finding and recommendation. After further review of R2T4 rules for module programs, the University of Pikeville will no longer perform R2T4’s on any student that has met the Exemption rules per FSA handbook, Vol 5, Chapter 1, “R2T4 Withdrawal Exemptions”. Responsible Parties: Daniel Donner, Director of Financial Aid Completion Date: March 4, 2026

Categories

Student Financial Aid Reporting

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1191223 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1191224 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 FEDERAL DIRECT STUDENT LOANS $56.43M
84.063 FEDERAL PELL GRANT PROGRAM $4.02M
84.047 TRIO UPWARD BOUND $835,152
93.925 SCHOLARSHIPS FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONS STUDENTS FROM DISADVANTAGED BACKGROUNDS $670,000
93.732 MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH EDUCATION AND TRAINING GRANTS $475,294
84.033 FEDERAL WORK-STUDY PROGRAM $375,000
84.379 TEACHER EDUCATION ASSISTANCE FOR COLLEGE AND HIGHER EDUCATION GRANTS (TEACH GRANTS) $363,055
84.042 TRIO STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES $259,962
84.007 FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANTS $83,250
93.866 AGING RESEARCH $66,596