FAC Explorer

Finding 512979 (2024-001)

-
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2024
Accepted
2024-12-04
Audit: 330798
Organization: Certell, INC (IN)
Auditor: Sikich CPA LLC

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: One student did not receive a required refund of a credit balance, indicating non-compliance with federal regulations.
  • Impacted Requirements: Institutions must return credit balances to students within fourteen days, as outlined in 34 CFR 668.164 and 668.165.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Enhance controls over credit balances to prevent future issues and ensure timely refunds to students.

Finding Text

FINDING 2024-001: UNPAID CREDIT BALANCE FEDERAL AGENCY: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PROGRAM NAME: FEDERAL DIRECT LOAN PROGRAM ALN: 84.268 FEDERAL AWARD YEAR: 2023-2024 Compliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions (N.) - Disbursements Criteria: An institution must pay credit balances to students within fourteen days of the creation of such credit or within fourteen days of the date the institution performs the Return calculation for withdrawn students. When a valid waiver has been obtained, an institution must pay the remaining balance on loan funds by the end of the loan period and any remaining other Title IV program funds by the end of the last payment period in the award year for which the funds were awarded (34 CFR 668.164 and 668.165). Condition: We tested forty files and one credit balance was not paid back to one student. We consider this finding to be an instance of non-compliance. Cause: The condition was caused by using more than $200 in current year funds to pay prior year balance. Effect: As a result, the Institution was holding funds that needed to be returned to the student. Question Costs: $850 Statistical sampling was not used when making sample selections. Recommendation: As the funds were used to pay prior academic year tuition, we recommend the Institution increase controls over credit balances. Views of Responsible Officials: The Institution agrees with the Single Audit Finding and a response is included in the Corrective Action Plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Finding 2024-001: Unpaid Credit Balance – As the funds were used to pay prior academic year tuition, it is recommended the Institution increase controls over credit balances. Comments on Finding and Recommendation(s): HJC concurs with the finding. Student had requested funds be used to pay prior year balance, but we should not have exceeded the $200 maximum allowed by regulation. Actions Taken or Planned: FA staff has reviewed the regulatory restrictions on prior-year payments to ensure that, even at a student's request, we do not exceed the $200 maximum allowed. Excess funds retained have been returned to the student.

Categories

Questioned Costs Student Financial Aid Special Tests & Provisions Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking

Other Findings in this Audit

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $1.52M
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $1.38M
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants $43,187