Finding 516521 (2024-001)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2024-12-21
Audit: 334430
Organization: Husson University (ME)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The University failed to document reviews for 2 out of 25 Title IV fund return calculations.
  • Impacted Requirements: This violates 2 CFR 200.303, which mandates effective internal controls for managing Federal awards.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Revise the review process to ensure all R2T4 calculations are documented, regardless of the aid earned percentage.

Finding Text

Programs Affected U.S. Department of Education – Student Financial Assistance Cluster – Award Year July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024: Criteria Per 2 CFR 200.303: “The non-Federal entity must: Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award.” Condition While testing return of Title IV funds (R2T4), a nonstatistical sample of 25 students was tested for proper return calculations. The University was unable to provide proof of a documented review for 2 of the 25 calculations selected for testing. Cause The University process was to perform a documented review of R2T4 calculations only when a student was determined not to have earned 100% of their aid, and thus the documented review was not completed for the 2 of 25 calculations sampled. Questioned Costs None. Effect Without proper review, an error in the R2T4 calculation could be missed, causing incorrect refunds and non-compliance with regulations. Identification as a Repeat Finding, if Applicable Not applicable. Recommendation BD recommends the process be revised to require review of the R2T4 calculations regardless of determined aid earned percentage. Views of Responsible Officials and Corrective Action Plan Management agrees with the finding. See attached Corrective Action Plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Finding 2024-001 Return to Title IV Condition While testing R2T4, the University was unable to provide proof of a documented review for 2 of the 25 calculations selected for testing. RESPONSE: Husson University agrees with this finding. The financial aid office had staff turn-over that lead to new staff taking over this function. As part of the training, the staff who performed these calculations were under the impression that no secondary review was required for students who earned 100% of the awarded financial aid based on withdrawal after the 60% point of the payment period. CORRECTIVE ACTION: Husson reviewed all calculations completed after 60% point of the term for 2023-2024 to ensure they were accurate. Moving forward all R2T4 calculations are reviewed by a second individual. A staff training was completed to ensure that the financial aid staff understand that a second review is required for all R2T4 calculations completed to ensure the calculation is accurate regardless of the % of term completed. RESPONSIBLE PARTY: Sherry Watson, Director of Financial Aid COMPLETION DATE: July 2024

Categories

Student Financial Aid Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 516522 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 516523 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 516524 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 516525 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1092963 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1092964 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1092965 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1092966 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1092967 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $24.83M
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $5.45M
84.116 Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education $721,564
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $622,300
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants $296,409
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $267,885
84.031 Higher Education Institutional Aid $84,593
10.310 Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (afri) $46,750
93.264 Nurse Faculty Loan Program (nflp) $16,935