Finding 42231 (2022-004)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
E
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-08-13
Audit: 46355
Organization: Pillar College and Subsidiaries (NJ)
Auditor: Capincrouse LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: A student received federal aid without an approved appeal despite not meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements.
  • Impacted Requirements: This violates 34 CFR 668.34(c), which mandates proper evaluation of SAP status before disbursing aid.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Financial aid and registrar's offices should collaborate to ensure ongoing monitoring of SAP status each term to prevent ineligible aid disbursements.

Finding Text

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Significant Deficiency DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.007, 84.033, 84.063, 84.268 Federal Award Identification #: 21-22 Financial Aid Year Condition: A student not making SAP was disbursed aid without an approved appeal. Criteria: 34 CFR 668.34(c) Questioned Costs: $3,373 Context: Out of the 10 students not making SAP in 21-22, 1 student should have had an appeal after the fall 2021 term in order to be eligible for the Spring 2022 disbursement. This student was the only one who had a warning status from the Spring 2021 and attended the entire year. The other 9 students had 1 semester warning and then suspension after the 21-22 financial aid year. Cause: Turnover in staffing. Students put on SAP warning were not evaluated after each term. Effect: Ineligible students disbursed federal aid. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: N/A Recommendation: We recommend the financial aid office and registrar's office work together to ensure SAP is properly monitored after each term to ensure only eligible students are awarded federal aid. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Satisfactory Academic Progress Planned Corrective Action: To receive financial aid students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 (?C?) or better, or be in a SAP-Probation program to recover their GPA. Pillar College academic standards require a student to have a minimum of a 2.0 cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) to graduate. Degree seeking students will be evaluated for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) on an annual basis. Pillar College is dedicated to helping students succeed academically and progress to graduation and is therefore committed to identifying students who may be struggling. Satisfactory Academic Progress is measured by three components: 1) The student?s cumulative grade point average (CGPA), 2) The student?s rate of progress toward completion (ROP), and 3) The maximum time frame (MTF) allowed to complete the academic program. (150% for all programs.) All students who receive financial aid at Pillar College are required to meet qualifying Academic standards. The student must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). If a student?s cumulative GPA falls below a 2.0, the student will be placed in Suspension Pending and must appeal to remain in school. Upon review of the appeal, the student will be placed on SAP Probation for the following semester/year and directed to the Academic Resource Center (ARC) for mandatory tutoring sessions through registration into ARC-090 SAP Remediation, a pass/fail course for SAP students. For the LEAD Program, the GPA benchmark is 2.5 to remain in the program. The probationary status permits the student to continue in college while working with the Academic Resource Center (ARC) to address deficiencies and take corrective action for improvement. The student may continue to receive Title IV and State Financial Aid so long as they are adhering to their SAP Remediation Plan. The student must use the SAP Remediation Form while on SAP Probation (available from the ARC). An assessment of current enrolled students? degree progress will occur mid-July. If the SAP standard is not being met, the student will be placed on SAP-Probation. It is possible to continue to receive Financial Aid while on SAP-Probation if the student?s ?Academic Plan? is being followed, and grades are improving. If a student does not adhere to the ?Academic Plan?, they may be moved to SAP-Suspension, and removed from the financial aid program. Aid will also be suspended for the semester if credit hours attempted fall below the credit hour criteria. Pillar College financial aid office, the Academic Resource Center (ARC) and the registrar?s office met to discuss and update the Satisfactory Academic Policy (SAP policy), implementing the changes in the current fiscal year. These changes are reflected in the Pillar College Catalog. Due to upgraded student services systems the process is functioning more effectively and efficiently. As stated before, an assessment of current enrolled students? degree progress will occur mid-July. The registrar, financial aid, and the Academic Resource Center (ARC) will meet together as a team two days after the report is published to discuss the results. Students will be notified individually through phone calls and emails to make an appointment with the Academic Resource Center to create a self-evaluative plan to increase their GPA. The ARC will upload the plan into the student services system and monitor the student?s progress by direct contact with the student. It will be noted in the student services system under the individual student?s account if a student does not respond to the notices, phone calls or emails that are sent. The student will be put on academic hold and will not be able to enroll in the new semester. Person Responsible for Corrective Action Plan: Betzi Schroeder, Financial Aid Office Anticipated Date of Completion: current

Categories

Procurement, Suspension & Debarment Student Financial Aid Eligibility Significant Deficiency

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 42229 2022-002
    Material Weakness
  • 42230 2022-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 42232 2022-005
    Significant Deficiency
  • 42233 2022-002
    Material Weakness
  • 42234 2022-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 42235 2022-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 42236 2022-006
    -
  • 42237 2022-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 49674 2022-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 49675 2022-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 49676 2022-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 49677 2022-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 49678 2022-007
    -
  • 49679 2022-008
    -
  • 49680 2022-007
    -
  • 49681 2022-008
    -
  • 618671 2022-002
    Material Weakness
  • 618672 2022-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 618673 2022-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 618674 2022-005
    Significant Deficiency
  • 618675 2022-002
    Material Weakness
  • 618676 2022-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 618677 2022-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 618678 2022-006
    -
  • 618679 2022-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 626116 2022-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 626117 2022-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 626118 2022-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 626119 2022-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 626120 2022-007
    -
  • 626121 2022-008
    -
  • 626122 2022-007
    -
  • 626123 2022-008
    -

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $2.39M
84.425 Covid-19 Education Stabilization Fund Heerf - Institutional Portion $1.49M
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $1.20M
84.425 Covid-19 Education Stabilization Fund Heerf - Student Aid Portion $963,041
84.425 Covid 19 Education Stabilization Fund Heerf - Minority Serving Institutions $167,875
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants $36,835
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $20,809
84.007 Covid-19 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants $12,854