Finding 387156 (2023-002)

Material Weakness
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-03-28

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The University lacks the necessary administrative capability to comply with Title IV regulations, leading to noncompliance.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with 34 CFR 668.16 is not being met, resulting in questioned costs of $498,771.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Enhance the financial aid system with better checks and balances, fix withdrawal system errors, and establish stronger review procedures.

Finding Text

Lack of Administrative Capability Material Weakness DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.268, 84.063, 84.007, 84.033, 84.038, and 84.379 (Student Financial Assistance Cluster) Federal Award Identification #: 2022-2023 Financial Aid Year Condition: The administrative capability is currently below the required level for maintaining compliance with Title IV regulations. Criteria: 34 CFR 668.16 Questioned Costs: $498,771 Context: In the current year, we found several areas of noncompliance and one repeated finding with the Department of Education regulations due to the fact that the financial aid system was not designed to appropriately support the current level of staffing for financial aid, the complexity of administering financial aid for the various educational programs, the communication required between departments for appropriate administering of financial aid, and the number of enrolled students receiving financial aid. Cause: The University continued to have staffing challenges and were still in process on addressing prior year findings. Effect: Noncompliance with a number of Title IV regulations. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: N/A Recommendation: We recommend the University adjust the financial aid system to allow for more checks and balances, correct the withdrawal system errors, and implement more robust review procedures. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Lack of Administrative Capability Planned Corrective Action: The university added and filled vacant positions in the financial aid office which provided additional capacity for processing and compliance. New levels of oversight and accountability were established and are being followed. Previously unknown functionality in the Colleague system was identified and implemented preventing the awarding of aid to ineligible programs. Person Responsible for Corrective Action Plan: David Richards, Director of Student Financial Services Anticipated Date of Completion: February 2024

Categories

Student Financial Aid Material Weakness

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 387157 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 387158 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 387159 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 387160 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 387161 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 387162 2023-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 387163 2023-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 387164 2023-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 387165 2023-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 387166 2023-004
    Material Weakness
  • 387167 2023-004
    Material Weakness
  • 387168 2023-005
    Significant Deficiency
  • 387169 2023-006
    Significant Deficiency
  • 387170 2023-006
    Significant Deficiency
  • 387171 2023-006
    Significant Deficiency
  • 387172 2023-006
    Significant Deficiency
  • 387173 2023-006
    Significant Deficiency
  • 387174 2023-006
    Significant Deficiency
  • 387175 2023-007
    -
  • 387176 2023-008
    -
  • 387177 2023-009
    -
  • 387178 2023-009
    -
  • 963598 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 963599 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 963600 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 963601 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 963602 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 963603 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 963604 2023-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 963605 2023-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 963606 2023-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 963607 2023-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 963608 2023-004
    Material Weakness
  • 963609 2023-004
    Material Weakness
  • 963610 2023-005
    Significant Deficiency
  • 963611 2023-006
    Significant Deficiency
  • 963612 2023-006
    Significant Deficiency
  • 963613 2023-006
    Significant Deficiency
  • 963614 2023-006
    Significant Deficiency
  • 963615 2023-006
    Significant Deficiency
  • 963616 2023-006
    Significant Deficiency
  • 963617 2023-007
    -
  • 963618 2023-008
    -
  • 963619 2023-009
    -
  • 963620 2023-009
    -

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $21.60M
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $6.22M
84.425 Covid-19 Education Stabilization Fund Heerf - Institutional Portion $4.09M
84.425 Covid-19 Education Stabilization Fund Heerf - Minority Serving Institutions $1.29M
84.379 Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grants (teach Grants) $426,874
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $389,051
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants $324,032
84.038 Federal Perkins Loan Program $269,283
84.425 Covid-19 Education Stabilization Fund Heerf - Student Aid Portion $26,000