Finding 512135 (2024-006)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
C
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2024-11-25
Audit: 329878
Organization: Connors State College (OK)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The College failed to document timely Direct Loan Reconciliation for March 2024 due to staff turnover.
  • Impacted Requirements: This affects compliance with federal regulations requiring monthly loan reconciliation and internal controls for federal awards.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement a formal review procedure to ensure monthly reconciliations are documented and performed on time.

Finding Text

Federal Agency US Department of Education Federal Program Name Student Financial Assistance Cluster Assistance Listing Number 84.268 Federal Award Identification Number and Year P268K24032 - 2024 Pass-Through Agency (if applicable) N/A Pass-Through Number(s) (if applicable) N/A Award Period 7/1/2023-6/30/2024 Compliance Requirement Affected Cash Management Type of Finding Internal Control Significant Deficiency Document judgment for your assessment Control finding did not result in material questioned costs-therefore we will document as a SD. Additionally qualitatively failure did not have material impact on compliance. Compliance Not Material Document judgment for your assessment Not greater than 5% and not a systemic failure Criteria or specific requirement "The Code of Federal Regulations (34 CFR 685.300(b)(5)) and the Federal Student Aid Handbook, Volume 4, Chapter 6, states loan reconciliation is a mandatory monthly process requiring the comparison of both internal and external records to be completed by an institution participating in the Direct Loan Program. Reconciliation is conducted to identify and resolve differences between net draws and disbursements reported to the Common Origination and Disbursement for a specific award year. An institution must document the reasons and resolve the discrepancies identified during the reconciliation process and that a review had been performed. Per 2 CFR 200.303, nonfederal entities receiving federal awards are required to establish and maintain internal controls designed to reasonably ensure compliance with federal laws, regulations, and program compliance requirements." Condition The College did not have documentation that Direct Loan Reconciliation was performed. Questioned costs: N/A Known Likely Context During our testing we identified the March 2024 Direct Loan Reconciliation was not timely performed and documented. Cause Due to staff turnover, direct loan reconciliation for March 2024 was not performed timely. Effect Failure to perform reconciliations timely could result in errors going undetected by student financial aid management. Repeat Finding No Recommendation We recommend the College implement a formal review procedure to document that the direct loan reconciliations are performed on a timely basis each month. Views of Responsible Officials Agree

Corrective Action Plan

Student Financial Assistance Cluster- Assistance Listing No. 84.268 Finding: The College did not have documentation that Direct Loan Reconciliation was performed. Context: During our testing we identified the March 2024 Direct Loan Reconciliation was not timely performed and documented. Cause: Due to staff turnover, direct loan reconciliation for March 2024 was not performed timely. Recommendation: We recommend the College implement a formal review procedure to document that the direct loan reconciliations are performed on a timely basis each month. Explanation of disagreement with audit finding: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Action taken in response to finding: A formal review process was already in place. The issue came from the turnover in the FA department leading to a loss of access. This will be remediated moving forward with more than one FA staff having reporting access and knowledge of reconciliations. Name(s) of the contact person(s) responsible for corrective action: Tina Ballinger Planned completion date for corrective action plan: 11/01/2024

Categories

Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking Student Financial Aid Cash Management Reporting Significant Deficiency

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 512118 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 512119 2024-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 512120 2024-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 512121 2024-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 512122 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 512123 2024-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 512124 2024-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 512125 2024-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 512126 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 512127 2024-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 512128 2024-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 512129 2024-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 512130 2024-005
    Significant Deficiency
  • 512131 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 512132 2024-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 512133 2024-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 512134 2024-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1088560 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1088561 2024-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1088562 2024-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1088563 2024-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1088564 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1088565 2024-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1088566 2024-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1088567 2024-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1088568 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1088569 2024-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1088570 2024-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1088571 2024-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1088572 2024-005
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1088573 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1088574 2024-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1088575 2024-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1088576 2024-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1088577 2024-006
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $4.90M
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $3.67M
84.042 Trio Student Support Services $422,247
84.031 Higher Education Institutional Aid $393,682
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $269,421
93.493 Congressional Directives $247,250
93.558 Temporary Assistance for Needy Families $120,329
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants $116,303
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $103,605
93.575 Child Care and Development Block Grant $81,053
84.048 Career and Technical Education -- Basic Grants to States $41,222