Federal Program
Federal Pell Grant Program ALN 84.063, Contract #P063P223333
Criteria
According to the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 34, Section 668.22(c), the withdrawal date for a student who ceases attendance at an institution that is not required to take attendance is the date, as determined by the institution, that the student began the withdrawal process prescribed by the institution or the date, as determined by the institution, that the student otherwise provided official notification to the institution.
Condition/Cause
Out of a sample of 25 students who withdrew or did not maintain attendance during a semester within the audit period, there was one instance where an incorrect withdrawal date was used.
Effect
An R2T4 calculation was performed using an incorrect withdrawal date of October 3, 2022 which required the student to return $453 of Pell funds. The correct withdrawal date is September 28, 2022. Using September 28, 2022 as the withdrawal date, the student would have been required to return $487 of Pell funds.
Recommendation
We recommend that a process be put in place at the College to strengthen its controls to ensure that it performs accurate return of Title IV calculations.
Management Response
The College agrees with the deviation noted in the testing. The financial aid office continues to refine its processes and controls over the return of Title IV calculations to ensure the calculations remain accurate, including a review of calculations being made.
Sincerely,
Kenneth Dearstyne,
Senior Vice President of Finance and Administrative Services