Finding 30550 (2022-001)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-03-05
Audit: 31365
Organization: Oklahoma City University (OK)
Auditor: Forvis LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Eleven students did not receive required notifications about their federal direct loan disbursements.
  • Impacted Requirements: Notifications regarding the date, amount of disbursement, and cancellation rights were not provided as mandated by 34 CFR 668.165.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The University should improve its procedures to ensure that system algorithms are regularly reviewed and updated to comply with notification requirements.

Finding Text

Student Financial Assistant Cluster ALN 84.268 Federal Direct Student Loan Programs U.S. Department of Education Program Year 2021 ? 2022 Criteria or Specific Requirement ? Special Tests and Provisions: Disbursements to or on Behalf of Students, 34 CFR 668.165 Condition ? Eleven students with direct loans were not notified of the date and amount of disbursement and that they have the right to cancel all or a portion of the disbursement. Questioned Costs ? None Context ? Out of the population of 1,527 students who received federal direct student loans, a sample of 27 students was selected for testing. Eleven of the tested students were not correctly notified of the date and disbursement of their direct loans or of the fact that they have the right to cancel all or a portion of the disbursement. Our sample was not and was not intended to be a statically valid sample. Effect ? Eleven students did not receive notifications regarding their direct loans, as required. Cause ? An algorithm in the University?s system was not updated, causing direct loan notifications not to occur for any student not receiving any aid other than direct loans. Identification as a Repeat Finding ? N/A Recommendation ? The University should review its procedures for ensuring that algorithms established in the system are reviewed and updated to ensure all notifications are occurring in compliance with Department of Education guidelines. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions ? Management agrees with the finding and will ensure that all algorithms are reviewed and updated in the future.

Corrective Action Plan

Finding 2022-001: Student Notifications a. Comments on Finding and Each Recommendation The University agrees with this finding. Due to turnover in the Student Financial Aid Office algorithms producing automated e-mails were not reviewed and were assumed to work in perpetuity. Action(s) Taken or Planned on the Finding The University has reviewed the Federal notification requirements. The Student Financial Aid office and Campus Technology have met and reviewed the algorithms for notifications and updated the parameters. Additionally, the Student Financial Aid e-mail box has been copied on these notifications and will be reviewed. For inquiries regarding this finding, please contact Christopher Day at (405) 208-5210 who is responsible for the corrective action.

Categories

Special Tests & Provisions Student Financial Aid Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 30551 2022-002
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 30552 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 30553 2022-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 606992 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 606993 2022-002
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 606994 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 606995 2022-002
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $41.64M
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $1.55M
84.038 Federal Perkins Loan Program $1.54M
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $1.06M
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $244,325
16.746 Capital Case Litigation Initiative $151,195
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants $136,017
12.900 Language Grant Program $2,647