Finding 1201609 (2025-005)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
E
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-03-30

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: A student was under awarded the Pell Grant by $925 due to a late change in enrollment status not being updated.
  • Impacted Requirements: Institutions must calculate Pell awards based on the student's current enrollment status as per federal regulations.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Management should review and update policies to ensure timely updates of enrollment status changes for financial aid awards.

Finding Text

Finding number: 2025-005 Federal agency: U.S. Department of Education Programs: Student Financial Assistance Cluster Assistance Listing #: 84.063 Award year: 2025 Criteria Under H.R. 2882, the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 the Pell Grant maximum was $7,395. Under 34 CFR 690.63 and Federal Pell Grant Program Regulations, institutions must calculate Pell awards based on the student’s enrollment status (full-time, three-quarter time, half-time, or less-than-half-time). Condition During our testing of Pell disbursements, we noted 1 student out of a sample of 40 that was eligible for the maximum Pell Grant but received an award for a three-quarter time student. Cause The College has policies and procedures in place to properly award Pell Grants to students, however, in this case the student’s status changed from three quarter-time to full-time late in the semester due to acceptance of an internship. This late status change was not updated in the student’s financial aid award for the Pell Grant. Effect The student was under awarded the Pell Grant by $925. Questioned Costs $925 Perspective Our sample was not, and was not intended to be, statistically valid. Of the 40 students selected for testing, 1 student, or 2.5% of our sample, had a student under awarded the Pell Grant. Identification as a Repeat Finding, if applicable Not applicable Recommendation We recommend that management of the College review, and if necessary, update the policies and procedures to ensure all late semester status changes are properly in Pell financial aid awards. View of Responsible Officials The College agrees with the finding.

Corrective Action Plan

Corrective Action Plan: The Financial Aid Office will revise procedures to ensure reconciliation of Pell funding against enrollment on a monthly basis. Additionally, the Registrar’s office will revise and implement procedures to ensure timely reporting of administrative add/drops to SFS. Timeline for Implementation: Spring 2027 Contact Person: Joe DaSilva (or Director of Student Financial Services upon hire) Vice President of Administration and Finance Peter Long Registrar & Director of Student Records

Categories

Student Financial Aid

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1201605 2025-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1201606 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1201607 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1201608 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.063 FEDERAL PELL GRANT PROGRAM $4.11M
84.268 FEDERAL DIRECT STUDENT LOANS $2.10M
84.042 TRIO STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES $225,302
84.033 FEDERAL WORK-STUDY PROGRAM $213,658
84.007 FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANTS $144,542
93.243 SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES PROJECTS OF REGIONAL AND NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE $110,209
84.116 FUND FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION $30,248
84.379 TEACHER EDUCATION ASSISTANCE FOR COLLEGE AND HIGHER EDUCATION GRANTS (TEACH GRANTS) $1,886