Finding Text
Federal Program Information: HEERF Supplemental Assistance for Institutions of Higher Education (SAIHE) Program (ALN 84.425S) Criteria or Specific Requirement: Institutions must receive affirmative written consent before providing an emergency financial aid grant to a student?s account. Condition: The University credited emergency financial aid grants to students? accounts without getting affirmative written consent. Cause: Administrative oversight. Effect or Potential Effect: The University was not in compliance with federal guidelines over making emergency financial aid grants to students. Questioned Costs: None. Context: The University was allocated $991,895 of HEERF SAIHE funds, under Absolute Priority 6, which limited the use of these funds to making financial aid grants to students. The University appropriately used the funds to award additional financial aid grants; however, students did not have discretion about how to receive these grants. Identification as a Repeat Finding: There was no similar finding identified during the prior year. Recommendation: We recommend the University enhance its procedures over awarding and disbursing financial aid to ensure adherence to all federal guidelines. Views of Responsible Officials: The University applied for and received the SAIHE grant to assist our students. There was no definitive guidance on handling of the funds for the students. As a result, we posted the grant proceeds to the students? accounts.