Finding 502361 (2024-002)

-
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2024-10-10

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Master’s University & Seminary failed to pay out credit balances from federal aid within the required 14 days.
  • Impacted Requirements: This violates 34 CFR 668.164(h) regarding timely disbursement of Title IV funds.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Improve processes to ensure credit balances are identified and paid out within the 14-day timeframe.

Finding Text

Credit Balances Not Paid Out in 14 days DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.268, 84.063 Federal Award Identification #: 2023-2024 Award Year Condition: The Master’s University & Seminary and Subsidiary is required to pay out credit balances created by federal aid within 14 days of the balance being created. Criteria: 34 CFR 668.164(h) Questioned Costs: $0 Context: Out of 60 students tested for paying out credit balances created by disbursing Title IV funds, there were 2 students who had a credit balance not paid out timely and the Master’s University and Seminary did not have authorization from the student to hold the credit balance. They were eventually paid out or applied to the following term’s tuition and fees. Cause: While there is a process to identify and pay out Title IV credit balances timely, the reports generated but it appears that it isn’t frequent enough as some were Effect: Noncompliance with the Department of Education’s cash management regulations Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: N/A Recommendation: We recommend The Master’s University & Seminary and Subsidiary refine their process to identify credit balances created by federal aid and disburse them to students within 14 days of the balance being created and to pay out all credit balances at the end of the payment period. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Credit Balances Held Beyond Payment Period Planned Corrective Action: The Master’s University has refined its process for returning federal funds. All eligible awards will be disbursed on the first week of class. An additional review of the course load will happen the day following the last day to add or drop a class. Then the student accounts office will run the federal refunds that same day. This should allow the process to be completed within 14 days of disbursement. As students may turn in documents late and disbursements continue in the school year the process should be run biweekly to catch any potential students who are eligible for a federal refund. Person Responsible for Corrective Action Plan: Kenneth Piester Anticipated Date of Completion: 09/30/2024

Categories

Student Financial Aid Cash Management

Other Findings in this Audit

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $8.19M
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $2.23M
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants $95,495
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $79,541