Finding 2219 (2023-002)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2023-11-20
Audit: 3804
Organization: Wayland Baptist University (TX)
Auditor: Capincrouse LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The University failed to return federal funds on time for students who withdrew, resulting in late returns and disbursements.
  • Impacted Requirements: This violates 34 CFR 668.22, with questioned costs totaling $2,069.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Provide ongoing training for financial aid counselors on R2T4 calculations to prevent future issues.

Finding Text

Return of Title IV (R2T4) Calculations Material Weakness DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.268, 84.063 Federal Award Identification #: 2022-2023 Financial Aid Year Condition: The University did not return all required federal funds timely when a student withdrew or stopped attending. Additionally, the University did not make the post-withdrawal disbursements timely. Criteria: 34 CFR 668.22 Questioned Costs: $2,069 Context: Out of 30 students tested, 3 students who withdrew during the audit period had funds returned late ranging from 14 to 252 days late but within the audit period, and 2 students had post-withdrawal disbursements made more than 180 days after the eligible date. One additional student was eligible for a post-withdrawal disbursement which had not been made during the fiscal year, and at the time of the report, was past the number of days allowed for a disbursement. Five students out of the 6 listed were before the spring 2023 semester. The return that was 14 days late was in the spring 2023 semester. All students that could be corrected during the audit process were corrected. Cause: There has been significant turnover in the financial aid department at the University during the period under audit. Effect: Federal funding was not returned timely. The post withdrawal disbursements made late were Pell disbursements totaling $1,536. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, 2022-002, 2021-004, and 2020-003. Recommendation: We recommend that the University continue to provide additional training for counselors performing R2T4 calculations. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Return of Title IV (R2T4) Calculations Planned Corrective Action: Executive Director of Financial Aid will continue to provide regular in-house R2T4 training specific to WBU for all staff and will ensure all pertinent staff responsible for R2T4 complete R2T4 training provided by FSA and purchased through NASFAA. The staff member responsible for disbursements, being new to her role in fall of 2022, did not realize that fall disbursements needed to be processed even after the end of the fall term. Once discovered, this was immediately addressed. In June 2023, WBU hired a full-time staff member to serve as a Financial Aid Compliance Specialist in the Office of Financial Aid and this position is devoted to internal audit and federal/state regulation compliance. Person Responsible for Corrective Action Plan: Christy Miller, Executive Director of Financial Aid Anticipated Date of Completion: October 31, 2023

Categories

Student Financial Aid Material Weakness

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 2220 2023-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 2221 2023-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 2222 2023-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 2223 2023-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 2224 2023-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 2225 2023-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 2226 2023-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 2227 2023-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 2228 2023-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 2229 2023-005
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 2230 2023-006
    - Repeat
  • 578661 2023-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 578662 2023-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 578663 2023-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 578664 2023-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 578665 2023-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 578666 2023-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 578667 2023-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 578668 2023-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 578669 2023-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 578670 2023-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 578671 2023-005
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 578672 2023-006
    - Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $14.56M
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $4.75M
84.425 Covid-19 Education Stabilization Fund Heerf-Minority Serving Institutions $545,865
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants $281,477
84.031 Higher Education_institutional Aid $188,222
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $170,000
84.425 Covid-19 Education Stabilization Fund-Supplemental Assistance to Institutions of Higher Education Program $143,000
84.038 Federal Perkins Loan Program $106,276
47.076 Stem Education $97,666
16.525 Grants to Reduce Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking on Campus $77,914
84.116 Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education $58,758
84.379 Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grants (teach Grants) $10,373