Finding Text
Finding No. 2024-001 - Untimely Return of Title IV Funds
Repeat Finding: No
ALN and Program: 84.007; 84.033; 84.063; 84.268 - Student Financial Assistance Cluster
Award Amount: $52,741,301
Award Number: N/A
Award Year: 7/1/2023-6/30/2024
Criteria: Returns of Title IV funds are required to be deposited or transferred into the SFA account or
electronic fund transfers initiated to the Department of Education (ED) as soon as possible, but no later
than 45 days after the date the institution determines that the student withdrew. Returns by check are
late if the check is issued more than 45 days after the institution determined the student withdrew or the
date on the canceled check shows the check was endorsed more than 60 days after the date the
institution determined that the student withdrew (34 CFR 668.173(b)).
Condition/Context: The auditor tested 15 Title IV returns, and noted that 10 returns were deposited or
transferred to the SFA account or EFTs were initiated to ED more than 45 days after the date of
determination. Our sample was not statistically valid.
Cause: During the year, MATC implemented a retrain of R2T4 return calculations, as well as a
secondary check on all calculations, which resulted in increased processing time. Additionally, turnover
in the office of the Executive Director and Director positions within the Financial Aid office resulted in a
gap in leadership, further delaying processing times.
Questioned Costs: None
Effect: All returns tested were properly calculated and were deposited or transferred to ED; however, the
returns were not made timely.
Recommendation: MATC should evaluate staffing levels and processes and implement return of funds
calculation timelines to ensure timely returns.
District Response: MATC agrees with the finding, and has added supervisory staff and implemented
processes to ensure timely return of funds.