Finding Text
CFDA Number 84.425 Education Stabilization Fund Under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act , U.S. Department of Education Program Year 2021-2022; Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Student Aid, Institutional Aid, and HBCU Portions Criteria or Specific Requirement ? Reporting Condition ? Section 18004(e) of the CARES Act requires each institution that received funds under HEERF I, II, and III to submit quarterly Institutional Aid and HBCU funding portion reports by July 10, 2021, October 10, 2021, January 10, 2022, and April 10, 2022. Lincoln University did not submit the quarter 2 (due July 10, 2021) or the quarter 3 (due October 10, 2021) reports within the required timeframe. Similarly, Lincoln University was required to post quarterly public disclosures for the Student Aid funding portion, due July 10, 2021, October 10, 2021, January 10, 2022, and April 10, 2022. Lincoln University did not post the quarter 2 (due July 10, 2021) or the quarter 3 (due October 10, 2021) information within the required timeframe. Of the 13 HEERF reports during the year, 6 were not submitted or posted within the required timeframe. Questioned costs ? None Context ? Out of a population of 13 reports required to be submitted during the fiscal year, a sample of 4 reports was selected for testing, one of each type (student, institutional, HBCU, and annual). One of the reports was not submitted within the required timeframe (HBCU report due October 10, 2021). Effect ? The University did not submit reports or post required information timely. Cause ? The University did not have strong controls in place that would trigger the posting of the information within the required timing and that included all required elements. These factors resulted in the University temporarily overlooking this requirement and posting the information past the required deadline, and excluding the number of students that had received the awards and the method of distributing the funds. Identification as a Repeat Finding ? Repeat finding, 2021-002 Recommendation ? The University should strengthen the internal controls surrounding the HEERF reporting by establishing policies and procedures to ensure that reporting information is submitted timely and accurately.