Finding Text
Federal Agency –Department of Education, Student Financial Assistance Cluster, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, Assistance Listing Number 84.007; Federal Work Study Program, Assistance Listing Number 84.033; Federal Pell Grant Program, Assistance Listing Number 84.063; Federal Direct Loan Program, Assistance Listing Number 84.268.
Federal Award Program Year – July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024
Criteria or Specific Requirement – Special Tests and Provisions – Return of Funds – When a recipient of Title IV grant or loan assistance withdraws from an institution during a payment period of enrollment in which the recipient began attendance, the institution must determine the amount of Title IV aid earned by the student as of the student’s withdrawal date. If the total amount of Title IV assistance earned by the student is less than the amount that was disbursed to the student on his or her behalf as of the date of the institution’s determination that the student withdrew, the difference must be returned to the Title IV programs as outlined in this section and no additional disbursements may be made to the student for the payment period or period of enrollment (34 CFR Sections 668.22(a)(1)-(3)).
Condition – An incorrect number of days was used for the enrollment period of the Spring 2024 semester. This was due to the number of days in breaks of five days or greater being incorrectly determined.
Questioned Costs – Direct Loans, Assistance Listing Number 84.063 - $15
Context – We tested three calculations out of a population of 24 calculations performed during the examination period. Of the three calculations tested, an incorrect amount was returned to the Department of Education for two students due to a discrepancy in the number of days used for the enrollment period.
Cause – An incorrect number of days in breaks of five days or greater was used in the calculations performed.
Effect – The College returned the incorrect amount of funds to the Department of Education.
Identification as a Repeat Finding – N/A
Recommendation – We recommend the College perform secondary checks on the enrollment period input into the return of funds calculation.
Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action – The College has implemented additional controls to ensure that the School Calendar Profile in Common Origination & Disbursement (COD) is entered correctly and verified by a second person. Specifically, guidance has been provided to properly calculate the start and end dates for Scheduled Break Days in excess of five days.