Finding 513260 (2024-002)

-
Requirement
E
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2024
Accepted
2024-12-06
Audit: 331201
Organization: Dallas Christian College (TX)
Auditor: Capincrouse LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Errors in need analysis resulted in incorrect awarding of federal financial aid, affecting two students.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with 34 CFR 685.203 regarding accurate financial aid disbursement.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Ensure all scholarships are flagged as estimated financial assistance and conduct thorough awarding checks before disbursement.

Finding Text

Need Analysis and Estimated Financial Assistance DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.268 Federal Award Identification #: 2023-2024 Award Year Condition: Errors in need analysis for federal financial aid led to inaccurate awarding and disbursing need based federal financial aid due to certain estimated financial assistance being set up as non-need based aid. Criteria: 34 CFR 685.203 Questioned Costs: $3,512 Context: Two students out of 51 were over awarded subsidized loans. Cause: Some institutional scholarships are set up as non-need based aid but not flagged as estimated financial assistance, so systematically it looked like there was need when need had been met. Effect: Students not awarded need based federal aid according to eligibility. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: Not applicable. Recommendation: We recommend the College ensure that all scholarships are flagged as estimated financial assistance and an awarding check is done accurately before disbursement is completed for the student. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Need Analysis and Estimated Financial Assistance Planned Corrective Action: The new student information system adopted this fall will help avoid this issue. In addition, students with high SAIs will be monitored more closely to ensure scholarships and need based aid are being applied appropriately. Person Responsible for Corrective Action Plan: Jean-Claude St Juste, Financial Aid Director Anticipated Date of Completion: December 31, 2024

Categories

Questioned Costs Eligibility Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking

Other Findings in this Audit

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $1.57M
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $744,233
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $29,223
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants $19,714
84.379 Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grants (teach Grants) $3,772