Finding 382600 (2023-002)

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Requirement
E
Questioned Costs
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Year
2023
Accepted
2024-03-20
Audit: 296164
Organization: East-West University (IL)
Auditor: Sikich LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Two students received incorrect Direct Loan amounts, resulting in a $4,500 over award of Subsidized Loans and a $4,500 under award of Unsubsidized Loans.
  • Impacted Requirements: This situation violates the eligibility criteria set by 34 CFR 685.203 regarding proper loan disbursement based on student need and enrollment status.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The University should enhance monitoring of loan disbursements to ensure compliance and accurate awarding of Subsidized and Unsubsidized Direct Loans.

Finding Text

Criteria: According to 34 CFR 685.203 an eligible dependent or independent student is disbursed Subsidized Direct Loans up to their need and what they are eligible for based on their year in school. Condition: During our student file testing we noted two students out of forty were disbursed the incorrect Direct Loan amount. Based on the student’s enrollment status and need the students were over awarded $4,500 in Subsidized Loans and under awarded $4,500 in Unsubsidized Loans. We consider this error in awarding to be an instance of noncompliance of the Eligibility Compliance Requirement. Statistical sampling was not used when making sample selections. Questioned Costs: $0 Effect: Two students were over awarded Subsidized Direct Loans in the amount of $4,500 and under awarded Unsubsidized Direct loans in the amount of $4,500. Cause: The University’s internal controls did not identify the fact that the students were over awarded Subsidized Direct Loans in the amount of $4,500 and under awarded Unsubsidized Direct loans in the amount of $4,500. Recommendation: We recommend the University closely monitor all students who receive direct loans and verify that they receive the proper amount of Subsidized and Unsubsidized Direct Loans. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with this finding and response is included in Corrective Action Plan.

Corrective Action Plan

2023-002 Incorrect Direct Loans Disbursement Amount - Student Financial Aid Cluster Assistance Listing Number 84.007, 84.033, 84.063, 84.268, Grant Period - Year Ended August 31, 2023 Condition Found During our student file testing we noted two students out of forty were disbursed the incorrect Direct Loan amount. Based on the student’s enrollment status and need the students were over awarded $4,500 in Subsidized Loans and under awarded $4,500 in Unsubsidized Loans. We consider this error in awarding to be an instance of noncompliance of the Eligibility Compliance Requirement. Corrective Action Plan Financial Aid office will make sure the correct amount is awarded based on the student enrollment status and need of the student. EWU will make the proper adjustments to the Direct Subsidized Loan and Direct Unsubsidized Loan to reflect the correct amount foer the two students. Responsible Person for Corrective Action Plan Director of Financial Aid Cesar Campos Implementation Date of Corrective Action Plan February 15, 2024

Categories

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

Other Findings in this Audit

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $1.73M
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $1.68M
84.425 Covid-19 Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (arpa) Student Aid Portion $590,244
84.031 Higher Education_institutional Aid $190,961
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans - Plus Loans $159,459
84.425 Covid-19 Governor's Emergency Education Relief Fund (geer) $122,665
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $48,625
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants $38,026
84.116 Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education $32,765