Finding Text
Finding 2023-001 - U.S. Department of Education (USO), Title IV Student Financial Aid Programs: 1. Seven (7) out of 25 students had credit balances created by Title IV funds that were not refunded to the student or a Title IV program within the allotted 14 days. All seven (7) students were later refunded shortly after the allotted 14 days.
2. Two (2) students were not paid Federal Work-study funds according to the total hours worked and the correct amount paid per hour. Questioned costs were $490. The two (2) students were subsequently paid the correct amounts. Effect- The University's participation in the Title IV programs could be subject to USDE sanctions as applicable.
Repeat Finding - No.
Auditor's Recommendation - The University should implement corrective actions to ensure that the above findings are resolved and do not recur in future periods.
Views of Responsible Officials - We concur with the auditor's finding. EWU's student subsidiary ledger has been fully converted into our newly purchased global ERP system, Colleague, for fiscal year 2024. In the past, there were several manual processes amongst various departments to ensure the disbursement of student refunds. Our new system integrates all the student financial information allowing us to streamline our process for more efficiency. This process digitizes our student refund disbursements allowing for students to receive eRefunds. In addition, the new system allows for the Office of Student Accounts to exercise full oversight of the student refund process. Subsequently, our new system greatly enhances the University's ability to provide more timely disbursements of student refunds.
In addition to the newly adopted student refund process, the business office has since updated the Business and Finance organizational structure to provide an additional oversight over payroll disbursement to ensure students are receiving timely and accurate disbursements from the Federal work-study program. The business office reconciles with the financial aid department monthly on all financial aid awards.
Information on the federal program Federal Direct Student Loans, CFDA No. 84. 268, June 30, 2023; Federal Pell Grant Program, CFDA No. 84.063, June 30, 2023; Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, CFDA No. 84.007, June 30, 2023; Federal Work-Study Program, CFDA No. 84.033, June 30, 2023.
Criteria - Federal regulations governing Title IV programs.
Condition - Instances of noncompliance were noted, as more fully described in the context below.
Questioned Costs - $490.00
Context- We observed the following conditions in connection with our testing of the various U.S. Department of Education, Title IV, Student Financial Assistance Programs: Cause - Oversight by responsible employees of properly monitoring required elements.