Finding Text
Finding No.: 2021-013
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education
AL Program: 84.047A TRIO Upward Bound
Federal Award No.: P047A171556-21
Area: Special Tests and Provisions - Minimizing Duplication of Services under the TS and UB Programs
Questioned Costs: $ Undeterminable
Criteria: Per OMB Compliance Supplement July 2021, to minimize the duplication of services and promote collaborations so that more students can be served, TS and UB projects are required to collaborate with other TRIO projects, Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate programs (GEAR UP) projects (Assistance Listing 84.334), or projects from other programs serving similar populations that are serving the same target schools or target area (34 CFR sections 643.11(b) and 645.21(a)(4)).
In addition, the recipients of TS and UB grants are required to keep records, to the extent practicable, of any services TS or UB participants receive during the project year from another TRIO program or another federally funded program that serves populations similar to those served under the TS and UB programs (34 CFR sections 643.32(c)(5) and 645.43(c)(5)).
Condition: No supporting documentation (e.g., email correspondence, advertisements, etc.) was provided to demonstrate that specified plans in the UB Grant Application Form were implemented and/or other collaboration efforts were in place during FY2021.
Cause: The College lacks adequate internal control policies and procedures over compliance with applicable special tests and provisions requirements for minimizing duplication of services under the TS and UB Programs.
Effect: The College is in noncompliance with applicable special tests and provisions requirements for minimizing duplication of services under the TS and UB Programs requirements. No questioned cost is presented as we are unable to quantify the extent of noncompliance.
Recommendation: College management should improve internal control policies and strengthen controls over compliance with applicable special tests and provisions requirements for minimizing duplication of services under the TS and UB Programs requirements.
Views of Auditee and Corrective Action Plan: The College agrees with the finding and provides details in its Corrective Action Plan.