Finding 524988 (2024-005)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
E
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-02-28

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: A significant deficiency in internal controls led to a student receiving an unsubsidized Stafford loan that exceeded the allowable amount.
  • Impacted Requirements: The College failed to comply with 34 CFR 685.203(a), which sets limits on loan amounts based on student eligibility factors.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The College should review and improve its procedures for determining and verifying students' levels of education when awarding loans.

Finding Text

Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program Title: Student Financial Assistance Cluster ALN Numbers: Various Award Period: June 1, 2023 through May 31, 2024 Type of Finding: • Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Over Compliance • Other Matters Criteria or Specific Requirement: The Code of Federal Regulations, 34 CFR 685.203(a) outline the maximum subsidized and unsubsidized loan amounts for students based on their dependency status, year of education, and other factors. Condition: During our testing, we noted 1 instance out of 40 students tested where the unsubsidized Stafford loan awarded to the student was over the maximum amount they were eligible for. Questioned Costs: We identified $5,000 was over-awarded. Context: The College did not have procedures in place to detect this overaward. Cause: The College did not appropriately determine the student's level of education when awarding the Unsubsidized Stafford Loan. Effect: The student was awarded incorrectly as they were not eligible for the specific awarded amount. Repeat Finding: No Recommendation: We recommend the College evaluate its procedures and a policy around how level of education is determined and verified when packaging and awarding students. Views of Responsible Officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.

Corrective Action Plan

Awarding of Direct Loans Recommendation: We recommend the College evaluate its procedures and a policy around how level of education is determined and verified when packaging and awarding students. Explanation of disagreement with audit finding: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Action taken in response to finding: ● Updating the current policy: Financial Aid Office will outline a more thorough policy pertaining to its awarding of additional unsubsidized loan amounts to dependent students. ● Proper documentation concerning the reason for the additional award amount will be required in the specific student’s file in Powerfaids. ● Training sessions will be conducted to assure all members of the Financial Aid Office understands the conditions and expectations from the Department of Education regarding the awarding of additional unsubsidized loans. Name(s) of the contact person(s) responsible for corrective action: Sherman Lee, Financial Aid Director Planned completion date for corrective action plan: May 1, 2025

Categories

Questioned Costs Significant Deficiency Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 524973 2024-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 524974 2024-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 524975 2024-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 524976 2024-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 524977 2024-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 524978 2024-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 524979 2024-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 524980 2024-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 524981 2024-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 524982 2024-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 524983 2024-004
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 524984 2024-004
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 524985 2024-004
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 524986 2024-004
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 524987 2024-004
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 524989 2024-005
    Significant Deficiency
  • 524990 2024-005
    Significant Deficiency
  • 524991 2024-005
    Significant Deficiency
  • 524992 2024-005
    Significant Deficiency
  • 524993 2024-006
    Significant Deficiency
  • 524994 2024-006
    Significant Deficiency
  • 524995 2024-006
    Significant Deficiency
  • 524996 2024-006
    Significant Deficiency
  • 524997 2024-006
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1101415 2024-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1101416 2024-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1101417 2024-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1101418 2024-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1101419 2024-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1101420 2024-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1101421 2024-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1101422 2024-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1101423 2024-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1101424 2024-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1101425 2024-004
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 1101426 2024-004
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 1101427 2024-004
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 1101428 2024-004
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 1101429 2024-004
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 1101430 2024-005
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1101431 2024-005
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1101432 2024-005
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1101433 2024-005
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1101434 2024-005
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1101435 2024-006
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1101436 2024-006
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1101437 2024-006
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1101438 2024-006
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1101439 2024-006
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $6.69M
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $1.65M
84.038 Federal Perkins Loans Program $442,790
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants $78,140
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $48,313