Finding Text
Finding 2022-002 ? 84.268, 84.063, 84.033, 84.007 Student Financial Assistance Cluster Federal Agency ? U.S. Department of Education Grant Period ? Year ended August 31, 2022 Criteria ? In accordance with Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (Title IV) the College is required to document and determine the date of a student?s withdrawal and calculate the return of their earned student financial assistance. Condition ? There was no individual knowledgeable of the R2T4 process to lead and ensure calculations were performed timely and accurately. Context ? A sample of 40 withdrawal calculations was selected from a population of 560 students throughout the fiscal year. Our sample was a statistically valid sample. Cause ? In fiscal 2021, the College?s Director of Student Financial Aid resigned, and the responsibilities of the withdrawals were transitioned from the Office of Student Accounts to Financial Aid. During the transition, the Student Accounts staff who was knowledgeable of the withdrawal process retired, leaving the remaining staff in both offices unfamiliar with the process. A new director was hired in May 2021 and tasked with restructuring the Department, training staff, and developing policies and procedures over processes, including R2T4?s. Effect ? Many improvements to the R2T4 process were noted in fiscal 2022, however, there were approximately 20 calculations in our sample that had to be redone based on a review by the Director. As a result, 22 of our sample of 40 student R2T4?s was recalculated due to incorrect withdrawal dates or incorrect aid disbursed entered into the initial calculation. All R2T4?s for fiscal 2022 were reviewed and updated. Recommendation ? We recommend the College review its current training programs and ensure individuals understand their responsibilities and how to perform assigned tasks. The College should continue training individuals as an opportunity for strengthening the process and ensuring cross-training on the R2T4 calculations. This process should include formal communication with all departments involved to ensure everyone is aware of their responsibilities. View of Responsible Officials ? We accept the findings of the Financial Aid Single Audit and we will be implementing new policies and training procedures going forward. See Corrective Action Plan.