Finding 1216162 (2025-005)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-05-29
Audit: 402646
Organization: Barton College (NC)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The College failed to consistently send disbursement notices to students, impacting their understanding of Title IV funds.
  • Impacted Requirements: This violates 34 CFR Section 685.165(a)(1-2), which mandates timely notification of disbursement amounts and cancellation rights.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The College should establish procedures to ensure all disbursement notices are sent to students on time.

Finding Text

Condition: The College did not consistently distribute disbursement notices to students and properly communicate the right to cancel within the minimum required timeframe. Criteria: Based on requirements set forth by 34 CFR Section 685.165(a)(1-2), the College is responsible for notifying a student of the amount of expected Title IV funds as well as how and when those funds will be disbursed. Additionally, the College must notify the students of their right to cancel all or a portion of that loan disbursement as well as the timeline they must follow to do so. Cause: We noted that the College did not consistently send the required notices to students. Effect: Disbursement notices, including the right to cancel information, were not consistently sent to students. Context: We tested 25 students and noted that none of those students were sent disbursement notices. Repeat Finding: No Recommendation: We recommend the College implement procedures to ensure that disbursement notices are consistently sent to students.

Corrective Action Plan

This has been addressed by the introduction of an automated notification process authored by Ruth Casper. This process will notify student in a consistent and timely manner and will produce management control reports to ensure accuracy. Ruth has also researched the adoption of NetPartner which will greatly enhance Barton Colleges control over this area introducing automation tied directly to the awarding process in PowerFaids. Barton College management has recommended immediate adoption of this software solution to address this requirement and other needs. There may be occurrences of this matter for 2025-26 prior to Ruth Casper’s onboarding. She has since implemented the communication flow explained above.

Categories

Student Financial Aid Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1216160 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1216161 2025-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1216163 2025-006
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 FEDERAL DIRECT STUDENT LOANS $7.72M
84.063 FEDERAL PELL GRANT PROGRAM $3.14M
84.033 FEDERAL WORK-STUDY PROGRAM $209,392
84.007 FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANTS $146,683