Finding Text
Pell Awards Other Matter DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.063 Federal Award Identification #: 2021-22 Financial Aid Year Condition: 3 students out of 46 tested were not properly awarded Pell based on enrollment status. Criteria: 34 CFR 690.63(b) Questioned Costs: $0 Context: In the eligibility, disbursement, and withdrawal testing 3 students had Pell awarding errors. 1 student had the Pell award in the Financial Aid awarding system locked so that it could not be updated based on the student?s enrollment status, whereas the other 2 students had Pell awards incorrectly adjusted based on the students withdrawing midway through the academic term. All 3 students resulted in Pell being under-awarded by a total of $2,744 and Pell amounts have been corrected during the audit the audit process. Cause: The Financial Aid awarding system allowed a lock on a Pell award and Financial Aid made incorrect adjustments of Pell awards when evaluating withdrawal students. Effect: Pell was not awarded correctly based on enrollment status. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: N/A Recommendation: We recommend that the Financial Aid awarding system be reviewed to make sure no other students? Pell awards are locked during the awarding term and that a process be used to review and adjust Pell to be paid in alignment with enrollment status. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.