Finding Text
Finding 2022-004: a. Identification of the federal program and specific federal award: i. Assistance Listing title and number: Student Financial Assistance - Cluster, Federal Pell Grant (Pell) - 84.063 ii. Federal award identification number and year: P063P210331, 2021 - 2022 Federal Award Year iii. Name of federal agency: U.S. Department of Education iv. Name of the applicable pass-through entity: Not applicable b. Criteria or specific requirement (including statutory, regulatory or other citation): If a student enrolls in a payment period that is scheduled to occur in two award years, the entire payment period must be considered to occur within one award year. The institution must determine for each Federal Pell Grant (Pell) recipient the award year in which the payment period will be placed. If an institution places the payment period in the first award year, it must pay a student with funds from the first award year, and if an institution places the payment period in the second award year, it must pay a student with funds from the second award year. An institution may not make a payment that will result in the student receiving more than 1 ? of his or her scheduled Federal Pell Grant for an award year in accordance with the requirements of 34 C.F.R. ? 690.64(a), (b). c. Condition: The University did not have an established policy and procedure to ensure that it consistently applied the regulations regarding payments of Pell if a student?s program crossed over an award year. d. Cause: The University did not have a formal policy or procedure. e. Effect or potential effect: The University could incorrectly apply the payment rules for student receiving Pell funds. f. Questioned costs: There are no questioned costs associated with this finding. g. Context: Historically, the University has handled this process on a student-by-student basis manually without a formal policy. The University was in the process of formalizing this practice and making certain enhancements to its tracking with its accounting system, but it was not completed until after the 2021-2022 federal award year. h. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable: This is not a repeat finding. i. Recommendation: We recommend the University establish a formal policy and procedure and ensure that all personnel responsible for the awarding of Pell are trained on how to appropriately follow the policy. j. Views of responsible officials: Management concurs with the finding. In April 2022, a formal policy and procedures addressing the awarding of Pell Grants has been established to ensure compliance, including staff training.