Finding 504081 (2023-003)

-
Requirement
E
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-10-29
Audit: 326482
Organization: Cottey College (MO)
Auditor: Sikich CPA LLC

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Three students received Federal Direct Subsidized Loans exceeding their financial need, indicating non-compliance with eligibility requirements.
  • Impacted Requirements: Loans must not exceed the estimated cost of attendance minus expected family contribution and financial aid (34 CFR 685.203).
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Cottey College should reclassify $5,002 from subsidized to unsubsidized loans to correct the over-award.

Finding Text

2023-003 Student Financial Aid Cluster (a) Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (b) Federal Work Study Grant (c) Federal Pell Grant Program (d) Federal Direct Loan Program, Assistance Listing No. (a) 84.007 (b) 84.033 (c) 84.063 (d) 84.268 - Year Ended June 30, 2023 Criteria: A student may not receive a Federal Direct Subsidized Loan amount that exceeds the student's estimated cost of attendance for the period of enrollment less the borrower's expected family contribution and estimated financial assistance for that period (34 CFR 685.203). Condition: During our testing of thirty-seven student files, we noted three individuals (8%) received a subsidized loan in excess of need. We consider this condition to be an instance of non-compliance relating to the Eligibility compliance requirement. Statistical sampling was not used in making sample selections. Questioned Costs: $5,002 Cause and Effect: Without proper review of eligibility of financial aid, students may receive an incorrect amount of Title IV aid. Recommendation: We recommend Cottey College reclassify $5,002 from subsidized to unsubsidized. 2023-003 Student Financial Aid Cluster (a) Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (b) Federal Work Study Grant (c) Federal Pell Grant Program (d) Federal Direct Loan Program, Assistance Listing No. (a) 84.007 (b) 84.033 (c) 84.063 (d) 84.268 - Year Ended June 30, 2023 Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with this Single Audit Finding and response is included in the Corrective Action Plan.

Corrective Action Plan

2023-003 Student Financial Aid Cluster (a) Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (b) Federal Work Study Grant (c) Federal Pell Grant Program (d) Federal Direct Loan Program, Assistance Listing No. (a) 84.007 (b) 84.033 (c) 84.063 (d) 84.268 - Year Ended June 30, 2023 Condition: During our testing of thirty-seven student files, we noted three individuals (8%) received a subsidized loan in excess of need. We consider this condition to be an instance of non-compliance relating to the Eligibility compliance requirement. Statistical sampling was not used in making sample selections. Corrective Action Plan: During the 2022-23 school year, an employee who retired in May 2023 awarded all returning student institutional aid and federal aid. Hannah Masters, Executive Director of Financial Aid and Student Accounts, took over awarding all students (incoming and returning students). Starting in June 2023, Hannah awards all students based on enrollment status from Jenzabar 1 (Cottey's ERP) for returning students and Salesforce for incoming students. Upon census date, the Registrar sends an updated final report of student grade level and attempted credit hours. Hannah then reviews all student accounts manually and confirms the enrollment, grade level, and loan levels for each student. This ensures no student is under or over awarded for the term based on grade level or financial need. With the staffing changes, we are also now reviewing each package every time a FAFSA update is imported. This gives us another round of reviews to ensure students are not over or under awarded based on financial need. Responsible Person for Correction Action Plan: Hannah Masters Implementation Date for Corrective Action Plan: June 2023

Categories

Questioned Costs Student Financial Aid Eligibility Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking

Other Findings in this Audit

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $1.17M
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $705,134
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $29,746
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants $25,644