Finding Text
Finding 2025-002 – U.S. Department of Education (ED), TRIO Programs (material weakness): Information on Federal Programs – TRIO Upward Bound Assistance Listing, FAL No. 84.047, June 30, 2025 Criteria – Federal regulations require that at least two-thirds (67%) of participants served by the TRIO Upward Bound Program be low-income and first-generation college students. 20 U.S.C. § 1070a-11 34 CFR § 645.3 (Definitions); 34 CFR § 645.11 (Participant eligibility and selection). In addition, recipients are required to maintain accurate eligibility documentation and report complete and reliable participant data in the annual performance report in accordance with 2 CFR § 200.303 and 2 CFR § 200.328. Condition – The TRIO Upward Bound Program did not meet the federally required two-thirds first-generation/low-income participant threshold. The annual performance report reflected that only 51% of participants were identified as first-generation and/or low-income. During testing of participant eligibility documentation, the participant roster reflected that only 58% of participants met the first-generation and/or low-income eligibility requirement. Cause – The condition appears to be the result of insufficient internal controls over participant eligibility determination and monitoring, including: a) inadequate review procedures to ensure eligibility requirements were met prior to participant enrollment; b) lack of ongoing monitoring to ensure continued compliance with the two-thirds eligibility requirement throughout the program year and c) insufficient reconciliation between eligibility documentation and performance reporting data. Effect – Failure to meet the statutory eligibility threshold places the program out of compliance with federal requirements and may result in: a) questioned eligibility of program participants, b) increased risk of enforcement actions, including corrective action plans or repayment of federal funds.; c) possible loss or reduction of future funding and d) risk of program eligibility. Repeat Finding – Yes. Although this is a repeat finding for Upward Bound, Student Support Services was resolved in the current year. Questioned Costs – Questioned costs could not be reasonably determined for this finding due to the inability to directly associate program expenditures with individual ineligible participants. Auditor’s Perspective – From the auditor’s perspective, this finding represents material noncompliance with federal eligibility and reporting requirements for the TRIO Upward Bound Program. Federal statutes and regulations require that at least two-thirds (67%) of program participants be low-income and first-generation college students. The program’s failure to meet this threshold both in reported data (51%) and in tested eligibility documentation (58%) demonstrates a systemic breakdown in compliance, rather than an isolated or clerical error. The discrepancy between eligibility documentation and the annual performance report further indicates weaknesses in internal controls over compliance, as required by 2 CFR § 200.303. Accurate eligibility determination is a core program requirement, directly tied to the program’s statutory purpose and funding authorization. Noncompliance with this requirement undermines assurance that federal funds were used to serve the intended population. Auditor’s Perspective – (continued) Because eligibility compliance affects the allowability of participant-related costs, the inability to demonstrate that the required proportion of participants met eligibility criteria creates an elevated risk of questioned or disallowed costs. While questioned costs could not be reasonably quantified, the scope and pervasiveness of the condition support classification of this finding as material. Absent corrective action, the program remains exposed to continued noncompliance, increased federal oversight, and potential enforcement actions by the U.S. Department of Education. Strengthening eligibility controls, monitoring, and reporting reconciliation is necessary to restore compliance and reduce future audit risk. Auditor’s Recommendation – We recommend that management: a) strengthen internal controls over participant eligibility determination, including documented review and approval procedures; b) implement periodic monitoring to ensure the two-thirds first-generation/low-income require-ment is met throughout the program year; c) Ensure accurate and consistent reporting between eligibility records and annual performance reports and d) provide staff training on federal eligibility requirements for the TRIO Upward Bound Program. View of Responsible Officials – The correct 2/3 requirement percentage from the 2024-2025 TRIO Upward Bound APR is 63%; the referenced 51% was from the 2023-2024 APR. The TRIO Upward Bound Program’s fiscal year for 2024-2025 was September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2025, which is different from the College’s fiscal year. A roster was requested and submitted reflecting TRIO Upward Bound participants during the College’s fiscal year, July 1, 2024 -June 30, 2025. The submitted roster did not reflect the participants for the Program’s 2024-2025 fiscal year. Failure to meet the 2/3 requirement stems from ongoing challenges in recruiting Program participants. Recruitment has been and continues to be a challenge for TRIO Programs nationwide since the pandemic. The TRIO Upward Bound Staff are very knowledgeable about Program eligibility and documentation requirements. A thorough review of eligibility is completed to ensure applicants meet at least one (and preferably both) eligibility criteria PRIOR TO acceptance. The TRIO Upward Bound Program received funding for FY2025 (September 1, 2025, - August 31, 2026) in the full amount of $550,864.00. The receipt of a Non-Competing Continuation (NCC) Grant Award Notice means the U.S. Department of Education is giving approval to allow the Paine College TRIO Upward Bound Program to continue serving students without any stipulations to the Program or College. The Program is operating under normal terms and conditions. Program Staff is working diligently to recruit more students to ensure compliance with the 2/3 eligibility requirement for the 2025-2026 program/fiscal year.