Finding 3864 (2023-001)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2023-12-11
Audit: 6092
Organization: MacAlester College (MN)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The College failed to report disbursement dates to the COD system within the required 15 days for 10 out of 40 students tested.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with Department of Education regulations (34 CFR 690.83(b)(2) and 34 CFR 685.309) regarding timely reporting of Pell and Direct Loan disbursements.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The College should investigate the password issue that caused the delays and implement measures to prevent future occurrences.

Finding Text

Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program Title: Student Financial Assistance Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 84.038, 84.268, 84.033, 84.007, 84.063 Award Period: June 1, 2022 to May 31, 2023 Type of Finding: 􀁸 Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance 􀁸 Other matter Criteria or Specific Requirement: The Department of Education requires the College to report the disbursement dates and amounts to the Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) system within 15 days of disbursing Pell (34 CFR 690.83(b)(2) and Direct Loan (34 CFR 685.309) funds to a student. Condition: During our testing, we noted 10 of the 40 students tested had an applied date outside of the 15 day requirement to be applied to the student account. Questioned Costs: None reported Context: During our testing, it was noted the College had a password issue that resulted in delayed reporting. Cause: The College was unable to meet the requirement that disbursements made to students must be reported to COD within 15 days of the disbursement date due to a password issue. Effect: Students interest accrues based on disbursement date reported to COD for Direct Loan disbursements, thus interest calculation could be skewed due to the discrepancy in disbursement dates reported. Repeat Finding: No Recommendation: We recommend the College evaluate the circumstances that delayed reporting disbursements to COD to ensure that it will not happen again. Views of Responsible Officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.

Categories

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

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 3862 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 3863 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 3865 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 3866 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 3867 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 580304 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 580305 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 580306 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 580307 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 580308 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 580309 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $1.95M
84.038 Federal Perkins Student Loans Programs $1.54M
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $1.38M
97.036 Disaster Grants - Public Assistance (presidentially Declared Disasters) $963,385
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $375,729
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants $346,517
47.050 Geosciences $206,727
47.079 Office of International Science and Engineering $166,964
47.074 Biological Sciences $111,321
93.859 Biomedical Research and Research Training $80,745
47.075 Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences $49,772
16.525 Grants to Reduce Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking on Campus $47,298
12.431 Basic Scientific Research $41,029
10.310 Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (afri) $25,368
43.008 Education $7,273
93.361 Nursing Research $7,027
15.808 U.s. Geological Survey_ Research and Data Collection $3,742
47.049 Mathematical and Physical Sciences $2,067