Finding 24050 (2022-002)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-03-29

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Disbursement dates for Direct Loans and Pell grants did not match what was reported to COD, indicating a material weakness in internal controls.
  • Impacted Requirements: Noncompliance with 34 CFR 685.301(a)(2)(iii) and 34 CFR 690.83(b)(2) regarding accurate reporting of disbursement dates.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: University should review and update policies and procedures to ensure accurate reporting to COD and prevent future discrepancies.

Finding Text

2022?002 Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program Title: Student Financial Aid Cluster Assistance Listing Number: Various Award Period: July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022 Type of Finding: Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria or specific requirement: The Code of Federal Regulations, 34 CFR 685.301(a)(2)(iii) outlines that an institution must provide the anticipated and actual disbursements dates of loan proceeds. In addition, The Code of Federal Regulations, 34 CFR 690.83(b)(2) outlines that an institution must provide the other information (Disbursement information for Pell) in an appropriate manor. Condition: Disbursement dates recorded on student accounts for Direct Loan and Pell disbursements did not agree to the disbursement date reported to Common Origination and Disbursement (COD). Questioned costs: Unknown as incorrect dates ultimately affect interest on Direct Loans. Context: In 44 of the 60 students tested, we noted discrepancies in disbursement dates when comparing disbursements dates in Campus Nexus to what was ultimately reported to COD. We also noted 1 discrepancy in which the applied date and the disbursement date within COD were not within the 15 day requirement. Cause: Lack of appropriate policy and procedure in place regarding reporting of students to COD for the year under audit. Effect: Noncompliance with federal regulations which could lead to incorrect repayment terms for students. Repeat Finding: Yes ? 2021-003. Recommendation: We recommend that the University review their policies and procedures to ensure accurate reporting to COD. Views of responsible officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Management has addressed their corrective action plan in a separately issued letter.

Corrective Action Plan

2022-002 Disbursement Date Reporting to COD Student Financial Aid Cluster ? Assistance Listing No. Various Auditors? Recommendation: The University must review their policies and procedures to ensure accurate reporting to COD.Explanation of disagreement with audit finding: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Action taken in response to finding: Implemented multistage review process to highlight differentials between COD and system disbursement date. Fiscal Year 2022 dates are accurate. Further, implementation of new SIS, Ellucian Colleague will correct the discrepancy issue due to automated functions that will align disbursement dates. Name(s) of the contact person(s) responsible for corrective action: Rusty Hassell, Chief Enrollment Officer; Rachal Wortham, Director of Financial Aid Quality and Compliance; Amanda Schmidt, Director of Student Accounts Planned completion date for corrective action plan: Fiscal year 2022 are corrected and accurate as of March 2023. System transcription complete August 2023.

Categories

Student Financial Aid Material Weakness Reporting Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 24049 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 24051 2022-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 24052 2022-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 24053 2022-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 24054 2022-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 24055 2022-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 24056 2022-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 24057 2022-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 24058 2022-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 24059 2022-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 24060 2022-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 24061 2022-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 600491 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 600492 2022-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 600493 2022-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 600494 2022-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 600495 2022-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 600496 2022-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 600497 2022-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 600498 2022-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 600499 2022-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 600500 2022-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 600501 2022-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 600502 2022-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 600503 2022-004
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $4.61M
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $2.25M
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $1.95M
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants $138,638
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $18,144