FAC Explorer

Finding 387116 (2023-002)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-03-28
Audit: 299424
Organization: Eureka College (IL)
Auditor: Sikich LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The College failed to report graduate status changes for 50% of students within the required 60-day timeframe.
  • Impacted Requirements: Non-compliance with 34 CFR 690.83 and 34 CFR 685.309 regarding timely reporting of student status.
  • Recommended Follow-up: Enhance training on compliance and establish controls to ensure timely and accurate enrollment reporting.

Finding Text

2023-002 – Student Financial Aid Cluster – (a) Federal Pell Grant (b) Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (c) Federal Work Study Grant (d) Federal Perkins Loan Program (e) Federal Direct Student Loans (f) Teacher education Assistance for College and Higher Education ALN No. (a) 84.063 (b) 84.007 (c) 84.033 (d) 84.038 (e) 84.268 (f) 84.379 – Year Ended June 30, 2023 Criteria: 34 CFR 690.83 (b)(2) states the institution shall submit "in accordance with deadline dates established by the Secretary, through publication in the Federal Register, other reports and information with Secretary requires and shall comply with the procedures the Secretary finds necessary to ensure that the reports are correct.” 34 CFR 685.309(b)(1-2) states “upon receipt of a student status confirmation report from the Secretary, complete and return that report to the Secretary within 30 days of receipt; and unless it expects to submit its next student status confirmation report to the Secretary within the next 60 days, notify the Secretary within the next 60 days, notify the Secretary with 30 days if it discovers that a Direct Subsidized, Direct Unsubsidized, or Direct PLUS Loan has been made to or on behalf of student…" Condition: The College did not report graduate status changes within 60 days for ten out of twenty students (50%) tested. We consider this condition to be a significant deficiency of internal control over compliance relating to the Special Tests and Provisions compliance. Statistical sampling was not used in making sample selections. Questioned Costs: $0 Effect: The College has not timely and accurately submitted enrollment status information, which has the potential to delay the start of the repayment period for students who have received loans. Recommendation: We recommend the College continually educate themselves on compliance requirements regarding enrollment reporting and implement controls to help timely and accurately report enrollment statuses. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with this Single Audit Finding and response is included in the Corrective Action Plan.

Corrective Action Plan

2023-002 – Student Financial Aid Cluster – (a) Federal Pell Grant (b) Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (c) Federal Work Study Grant (d) Federal Perkins Loan Program (e) Federal Direct Student Loans (f) Teacher education Assistance for College and Higher Education ALN No. (a) 84.063 (b) 84.007 (c) 84.033 (d) 84.038 (e) 84.268 (f) 84.379 – Year Ended June 30, 2023 Condition: The College did not report graduate status changes within 60 days for ten out of twenty students (50%) tested. We consider this condition to be a significant deficiency of internal control over compliance relating to the Special Tests and Provisions compliance. Management response: From October 2022 to August 2023, the Registrar's Office was short staffed (we only had one employee in the office). We also switched email service providers in the second half of May 2023. The degree file reminder email from the National Student Clearinghouse was missed by the Registrar in the email transition period and because of the change in calendar systems, it was also missed on the Registrar's calendar. When the email migration was complete, the Registrar had thousands emails that were showing as unread. By the time the email cleanup was complete, and the Registrar realized she had not submitted the May 2023 degree file, the 60 day window had passed. The file was submitted in late July as soon as it was discovered that it hadn't gotten submitted (15 days past the 60 day window) Corrective Action Plan: The Summer 2023 and Fall 2023 degree files were submitted on time. The Registrar's office is once again fully staffed and our email and calendar systems are stable again as well. Responsible Person: Kendi Onnen, Registrar Implementation Date: 7/27/2023

Categories

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

Other Findings in this Audit

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $3.15M
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $1.34M
11.307 Economic Adjustment Assistance $160,769
84.038 Federal Perkins Loan Program $94,634
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $60,000
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants $57,084
45.301 Museums for America $17,820
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $8,479
84.379 Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grants (teach Grants) $3,772