Finding 29275 (2022-003)

Significant Deficiency Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-06-26
Audit: 29483
Organization: San Diego Christian College (CA)
Auditor: Capincrouse LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The College failed to return unearned Title IV funds within the required 45 days after students withdrew.
  • Impacted Requirements: This violates 34 CFR 668.22, leading to questioned costs of $3,991.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement better procedures involving the financial aid office, registrar, and business office to ensure timely returns of funds.

Finding Text

Untimely Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4) Significant Deficiency DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Assistance Listing #: 84.063 and 84.268 Federal Award Identification #: 21/22 Award Year Condition: The College did not return unearned Title IV funds within the required 45 days from the determination of the student?s withdrawal. Criteria: 34 CFR 668.22 Questioned Costs: $3,991 Context: Out of 8 students tested who officially or unofficial withdrew, 2 were returned late as part of the audit process. Cause: There have been transitions within the student financial aid and business offices that caused a gap in oversight and monitoring of the R2T4 process resulting in late returns. Effect: Title IV funds are not being returned timely in accordance with the regulations to the Department of Education when students withdraw. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: Yes, 2021-004 Recommendation: We recommend that the financial aid office work with the registrar, third party administrator and business office to put effective procedures in place to ensure that funds are returned to the Department of Education timely. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Untimely Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4) Planned Corrective Action: Based on the reasoning for late R2T4 returns in the past, SDCC will implement the following steps to ensure timely returns moving forward. 1. A weekly attendance report submitted to the Registrar which details student?s whose last date of attendance is currently 7 days or more old. This will serve as a warning that students are nearing the 14-day threshold for attendance and alert the registrar ahead of time regarding student who may need to be dropped in the near future. 2. A ?to-do? will be set up in the EMS (Populi) for the Registrar for any student who reaches 14 days of non-attendance in any course by the Financial Services team. A follow up will be requested regarding the status of each student so that R2T4 can begin as quickly as possible. 3. E-mails detailing refunds due, due to student drops or withdraws will be submitted to both accounting and also the CFO and VP of Enrollment Management in addition to Accounting who has previously received these request. Person Responsible for Corrective Action Plan: James McHugh Anticipated Date of Completion: 08/28/2023 (All Steps to Begin with start of Fall 2023 semester with the exception of refund notices which will begin earlier if disbursements begin earlier than that date, resulting in refunds needed

Categories

Questioned Costs Student Financial Aid Subrecipient Monitoring Reporting Significant Deficiency

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 29276 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 29277 2022-004
    -
  • 605717 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 605718 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 605719 2022-004
    -

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $2.70M
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $771,106
84.425 Covid-19 Education Stabilization Fund Heerf - Student Aid Portion $691,589
84.038 Federal Perkins Loan Program $269,997
84.425 Covid-19 Education Stabilization Fund Heerf - Minority Serving Institutions $84,402
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants $72,201
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $35,260