Finding 369066 (2023-002)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-02-14
Audit: 290466
Organization: Moberly Area Community College (MO)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The College failed to return Title IV funds within the required 45 days after determining a student withdrew.
  • Impacted Requirements: This finding violates 34 CFR 668.22(j)(1) regarding timely refunds and 2 CFR 200.303 on maintaining internal controls for compliance.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The College should enhance its procedures for processing Title IV refunds to ensure compliance with the 45-day requirement.

Finding Text

2023 – 002: Return of Title IV funds Federal Agency: US Department of Education Federal Program Title: Student Financial Assistance Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 84.063, 84.268 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: Various Award Period: July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023 Type of Finding: • Compliance, Other Matter • Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria or specific requirement: The Code of Federal Regulations, 34 CFR 668.22(j)(1), states that an institution must return the amount of title IV funds for which it is responsible as soon as possible but no later than 45 days after the date of the institution's determination that the student withdrew. Per Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200.303, nonfederal entities receiving federal awards are required to establish and maintain internal controls designed to reasonably ensure compliance with federal laws, regulations, and program compliance requirements. Condition: During testing of Return of Title IV funds, the College did not return Title IV funds within 45-days of the College's determination date Context: During our testing of 40 student's Return of Title IV (R2T4) calculations, we noted 3 with refunds that were not returned within the 45-day requirement. Questioned costs: None Cause: The College has not implemented precise controls to ensure timely return of funds related to withdrawals Effect: The College was not in compliance with the requirements to properly return refunds within the 45-day requirement. Repeat finding: No Recommendation: CLA recommends the College review its current procedures for Title IV funds and implement additional procedures to ensure refunds are returned timely. View of responsible official: Management agrees with the finding and has already implemented a corrective plan.

Corrective Action Plan

2023-002 US Department of Education Student Financial Assistance Cluster - Assistance Listing No. 84.063, 84.268 Recommendation: We recommend the College review its current procedures for Title IV funds and implement additional procedures to ensure refunds are returned timely. Explanation of disagreement with audit finding: MACC is an attendance taking institution and our regular practice requires review of attendance records two to three times per week. When the Financial Aid Office discovers students have withdrawn from classes, we review and calculate an R2T4 when required - usually within 1-5 days from the date it is discovered. This finding of a "late return" is due to a faculty member dropping a student outside of the dates required by our attendance policy. I would like to note that the R2T4 was performed timely and accurately as soon as the drop was identified. Action taken in response to finding: The issue was reported to the President, Vice Presidents, and Deans; as a result, the faculty were addressed and reminded of the importance to comply with the college's attendance policy. Name(s) of the contact person(s) responsible for corrective action: Amy Hager Planned completion date for corrective action plan: Our Vice President for Instruction will provide reminders of our policy with our faculty each semester. In the event that a faculty member does not comply with the attendance policy, their Dean will take disciplinary action.

Categories

Student Financial Aid Significant Deficiency Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 369063 2023-003
    Material Weakness
  • 369064 2023-003
    Material Weakness
  • 369065 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 369067 2023-003
    Material Weakness
  • 369068 2023-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 369069 2023-003
    Material Weakness
  • 945505 2023-003
    Material Weakness
  • 945506 2023-003
    Material Weakness
  • 945507 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 945508 2023-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 945509 2023-003
    Material Weakness
  • 945510 2023-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 945511 2023-003
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $6.07M
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $3.07M
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $1.41M
84.002 Adult Education - Basic Grants to States $425,857
84.048 Career and Technical Education -- Basic Grants to States $283,909
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $154,433
17.268 H-1b Job Training Grants $147,518
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants $117,750
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $86,059
14.228 Community Development Block Grants/state's Program and Non-Entitlement Grants in Hawaii $79,100
10.561 State Administrative Matching Grants for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program $11,755
47.076 Education and Human Resources $6,684