Finding 43155 (2022-002)

- Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-02-23
Audit: 39340
Organization: High Point University (NC)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The University failed to verify that 5 students were not earning Federal Work-Study aid during class time, violating program guidelines.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with Federal Work-Study program rules, specifically the prohibition of work during scheduled class hours.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The University should consistently enforce policies and procedures related to the Federal Work-Study program to prevent future violations.

Finding Text

Information on Federal Program - Federal Work-Study Program Assistance Listing Number 84.033 Criteria ? Compliance Requirement N ? Special Tests and Provisions ? Institutions are required to verify students are not earning Federal Work-Study program financial aid during scheduled class time. Condition ? During our testing of the Federal Work-Study program, we noted the following: ? For 5 students sampled, the University was unable to verify the student was not earning Federal Work-Study Financial Aid during scheduled class time. Cause ? Management oversight in the Federal Work-Study program, resulting in 5 students appearing to work during scheduled class time. Effect ? The student was not in compliance with the Federal Work-Study program guidelines. Questioned Costs ? $1,277 Context ? We found 5 exceptions as noted in the condition, which resulted in the students not being in compliance with the program rules. Indication of a Repeat Finding ? This is a repeat finding 2021-002 from prior year. Recommendation ? We recommend the University ensure its policies and procedures are followed on a consistent basis regarding the Federal Work-Study Program. Views of Responsible Officials ? The University has always emphasized to students working on campus, regardless of whether their job is funded by the Federal Work-Study program or by the institution, and student supervisors that students should not be working during scheduled class hours.

Corrective Action Plan

Finding 2022-002 Program: Federal Work-Study Program CFDA No.: 84.033 Federal Agency: Department of Education Award Year: FY 2020 - 2021 Compliance Requirement: N ? Special Tests and Provisions ? Institutions are required to verify that students are not earning Federal Work Study Financial Aid during scheduled class time. University?s Response: The University continues to emphasize and reinforce with its students and student supervisors that, regardless of whether jobs are funded by the Federal Work-Study program or by the institution, students must not be working during scheduled class hours, irrespective of whether the class is canceled or let out early. The Student Employment Program holds annual supervisor training sessions and provides updated publications to these responsible individuals. As part of the University student employment application process, students must submit their class schedule with their application. The University expects supervisors to utilize the student class schedules provided and keep work schedules distinct. The University also expects supervisors to continue to obtain students? class schedules each semester and update students? work schedules accordingly each semester to ensure students are not working during times they are in class. Corrective Action Plan: In addition to the monthly email being sent to student employee supervisors reminding them of the student employment guidelines they are expected to enforce, a monthly email will also be sent to student staff. This communication will remind them of their responsibility to adhere to student employment guidelines and their commitment to keeping their supervisor informed of any changes they may make to their class schedule that could require their work schedule to be adjusted. Student employee supervisors will continue to be expected to hold a mandatory meeting with their student staff at or before the start of each semester. Furthermore, the University is instituting an internal audit process effective February 2023. A sample of student work records from the previous semester will be compared to students? class schedules to ensure students are not working during class hours. This review will be performed by Brad Calloway, Senior Vice President for Business Affairs. Any violations of the school student employment policies identified in this audit will be reported to Marc Sears, Vice President of Human Resources, for corrective action to be taken. Name of Responsible Person: Jonathan Mador, Senior Director of Student Financial Services; Sandra Fantauzzi, Student Employment Program Manager; Marc Sears, Vice President of Human Resources; Brad Calloway, Senior Vice President for Business Affairs Anticipated Completion Date: January 31, 2023

Categories

Questioned Costs Special Tests & Provisions HUD Housing Programs Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $59.80M
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $3.43M
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $2.71M
64.028 Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance $2.23M
84.336 Teacher Quality Partnership Grants $863,950
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $300,904
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants $241,688
93.279 Drug Abuse and Addiction Research Programs $239,973
47.049 Mathematical and Physical Sciences $181,329
93.866 Aging Research $108,207
10.310 Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (afri) $35,364
43.001 Science $25,675
93.859 Biomedical Research and Research Training $24,336
47.075 Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences $13,607
47.074 Biological Sciences $7,470
12.750 Uniformed Services University Medical Research Projects $6,143
84.408 Postsecondary Education Scholarships for Veteran's Dependents $6,125
94.013 Volunteers in Service to America $4,265
47.076 Education and Human Resources $1,382
84.032 Federal Family Education Loan $0