Finding Text
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Federal Program Title: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Assistance Listing Number: 84.425E and 84.425F Pass-Through Agency: N/A Pass-Through Number(s): N/A Award Period: June 1, 2021 ? May 31, 2022 Type of Finding: ? Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance ? Other Matters Criteria or specific requirement: The Federal Register 86 FR 26213 states that institutions must promptly and timely post detailed accounting of the use and expenditure of the (HEERF I, II, III) (a)(1) and (a)(4) Student Aid Portion funds in a format and location that is easily accessible to the public. The information is required to be updated no later than 10 days after the end of each calendar quarter (September 30, December 31, March 31, and June 30). The OMB Control Number 1840-0849 form states that institutions must promptly and timely post the completed budget and expenditure reporting form for (HEERF I, II, III) (a)(1) and (a)(3) Institutional Portion funds on the institution's primary website. The initial reporting is submitted to Institution's website within 30 days of signing Certification Agreement. Institution websites are to be updated every 45 days after initial submission. This was changed to quarterly on August 31, 2020. The information was required to be updated no later than 10 days after the end of each calendar quarter (September 30, December 31, March 31, and June 30). Condition: While the University did ultimately complete and submit the required reporting, it was not submitted by the specified timeliness in all instances. During our testing of quarterly reports posted to the University's website for the student portion, we noted 2 of 2 required quarterly report postings was submitted after the required due dates. Questioned costs: None. Context: It was noted that the University did not have a proper procedure in place for monitoring that required information was reported timely. Cause: There were time constraints due to the circumstances surrounding the HEERF funding. Procedures are in place to meet all future reporting deadlines. Effect: The University did not comply with the Department of Education regulations for timely quarterly reporting of specified information for (HEERF I, II, III) (a)(1), (a)(3) and (a)(4) Student Aid and Institutional Portion funds. Repeat finding: Yes Recommendation: We recommend the University reevaluate its procedures and review policies surrounding reporting requirements to ensure accurate and timely reporting. Views of responsible officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. The University has subsequently complied with the guidelines and submitted all reporting requirements