Finding 508215 (2024-002)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2024-11-18
Audit: 328682
Organization: College of Eastern Idaho (ID)
Auditor: Wipfli LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The institution failed to notify students about key disbursement details.
  • Impacted Requirements: Notifications regarding disbursement date, amount, cancellation rights, and procedures were not provided.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Ensure timely notifications are sent to students and parents regarding disbursement and cancellation procedures.

Finding Text

The examination disclosed that the institution was not providing notification to the student of (1) the date and amount of the disbursement; (2) the student/parent’s right to cancel; and (3) the procedure and time by which the student or parent must notify the institution that he or she wishes to cancel.

Corrective Action Plan

Corrective action was taken and implemented July 10, 2024. We implemented our financial aid disbursement procedure to ensure that all students and parents (for PLUS loans) receive a formal notification that includes: • The date and amount of each disbursement. • A clear statement outlining the student's or parent's right to cancel all or part of the direct loan disbursement. • Detailed instructions on the procedure and the timeline (14 days) for requesting cancellation. We developed standardized communication templates for disbursement notifications, which will automatically generate upon each loan disbursement. These templates will include all required information and will be distributed via email communication. Our financial aid management system will automatically send out notifications to students and parents within 30 days of the disbursement, ensuring compliance with federal regulations. Notifications will be sent electronically and stored in the system for record-keeping and audit purposes. We provided training for the Financial Aid staff on the updated procedures and federal regulations related to disbursement notifications and the right to cancel. A procedure manual and training was provided including how to document and handle cancellation requests promptly. A regular internal review process will be implemented to monitor compliance with disbursement notification requirements. A Financial Aid manager will review a random sample of notifications each semester to ensure that all required information is being communicated and documented appropriately. Timing for Implementation: Implemented July 10, 2024, and an ongoing process. Documentation was provided to auditors July 10, 2024, including Procedure Manual, Notification Sample, Batch of Notifications to students with loan disbursements.

Categories

No categories assigned yet.

Other Findings in this Audit

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $3.46M
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $2.51M
84.048 Career and Technical Education -- Basic Grants to States $485,098
84.002 Adult Education - Basic Grants to States $418,930
93.434 Every Student Succeeds Act/preschool Development Grants $97,044
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $60,055
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants $60,000
17.268 H-1b Job Training Grants $50,510
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $50,000
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $41,596
84.335 Child Care Access Means Parents in School $39,574
11.300 Investments for Public Works and Economic Development Facilities $18,818
93.859 Biomedical Research and Research Training $15,050
17.289 Simpson Committee Project Grant $3,967
84.334 Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs $1,688