Finding 43862 (2022-001)

Material Weakness
Requirement
E
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2022-11-14
Audit: 45498
Organization: Lake Land College (IL)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The College miscalculated Title IV assistance due to incorrect semester end dates and outdated Pell payment schedules.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with the Student Financial Aid Handbook and accurate Pell Grant Payment Schedules is essential for proper fund management.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement internal controls for accurate date usage and ensure software reflects the current Pell payment schedule.

Finding Text

Finding No. 2022-001 ? Internal Controls over Student Financial Assistance Special Test and Provisions Federal Program Name: Federal Student Assistance Cluster; Federal Pell Grant Program, Federal Direct Student Loans, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity, Federal Work Study Program CFDA Number: 84.063, 84.268, 84.007, and 84.033 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Criteria/Specific Requirement: A. The Student Financial Aid Handbook states that if a recipient of Title IV grant or loan funds withdraws from a school after beginning attendance, the school must perform an R2T4 calculation to determine the amount of the Title IV assistance earned by the student. B. The Department of Education issues Pell Grant Payment Schedules prior to the start of each award year. The current year award is taken from the payment schedule based on the estimated family contribution (EFC) and Cost of Attendance (COA). The maximum Pell Grant award for 2021-2022 is $6,495. Condition: A. During compliance testing of ?Special Tests and Provisions ? Return of Funds? we noted that for eight (8) out of twenty five (25) students tested the College utilized the incorrect semester end date for the Spring 2022 semester. B. During the compliance testing of ?Special Tests and Provisions ? Eligibility? we noted that one (1) student out of forty (40) students tested the College utilized the 2020-2021 Pell payment schedule versus the 2021-2022 Pell payment schedule. Questioned Costs: A. None B. None Context: A. Exceptions were noted in eight (8) of the twenty five (25) students tested. B. Exceptions were noted in one (1) of the forty (40) students tested. Effect: A. The amount of funds sent back to the Department of Education could be incorrect. B. The amount of Pell grant awarded to the student was under by $150. Finding No. 2022-001 ? Internal Controls over Student Financial Assistance Special Test and Provisions Cause: A. The College?s internal controls over the Return of Funds calculation were not effective. B. The College?s software system did correctly pull forward the current year Pell payment schedule. Recommendation: A. We recommend that the College develop internal controls to ensure that the correct dates are utilized for the Return of Funds calculation. B. We recommend the College establish procedures to ensure the software is utilizing the correct award information and criteria. Management?s Response: A. The College agrees with the auditor?s recommendation and will develop internal controls to ensure that accurate semester dates are utilized in the return of funds calculation to determine the amount of the Title IV assistance earned by the student. B. The College agrees with the auditor?s recommendation and will establish procedures to ensure the College's software is utilizing the current Pell payment schedule.

Categories

Student Financial Aid Eligibility Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking Special Tests & Provisions Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 43860 2022-001
    Material Weakness
  • 43861 2022-001
    Material Weakness
  • 43863 2022-001
    Material Weakness
  • 620302 2022-001
    Material Weakness
  • 620303 2022-001
    Material Weakness
  • 620304 2022-001
    Material Weakness
  • 620305 2022-001
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $4.30M
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $3.08M
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $995,758
84.048 Career and Technical Education-Basic Grants to States $552,382
17.259 Wioa Youth Activities $467,330
17.278 Wioa Dislocated Workers $448,558
17.258 Wioa Adult Program $391,212
84.044 Trio_talent Search $286,887
84.042 Trio_student Support Services $237,029
84.002 Adult Education-Basic Grants to States $178,421
64.028 Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance $68,099
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity $65,000
84.033 Federal Work Study Program $61,002
17.245 Trade Adjustment Assistance $36,813
17.245 Apprenticeship USA Grant $13,865
93.575 Idhs Child Care and Development Block Grant $3,201