U.S. Department of Education, Student Financial Aid Cluster – Assistance Listing # 84.033, 84.063, 84.007, 84.268 – Return of Title IV Funds (Significant Deficiency) Condition: The University failed to return Title VI funds to the Department of Education within 45 days of student’s date of determination. Criteria: Return of Title IV funds are required to be deposited or transferred into the SFA account or electronic fund transfers initiated to the Department of Education as soon as possible, but no later than 45 days after the date the institution determines that the student withdrew in accordance with 34 CFR Section 668.173(b). Cause: Controls are not functioning properly. Effect: Funds were not timely returned to students or federal agencies as required. Context: From a population of 129 students that withdrew officially or unofficially during a term, we tested 12 students and noted that the R2T4 calculations were required for nine students. Of the nine students, R2T4 calculations were prepared untimely for six students, resulting in a late return of Title IV funds. Repeat Finding from Prior Year: Not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend procedures are put in place to ensure R2T4 calculations are performed timely following the University’s date of determination. Corrective Actions: In February 2025, Bluefield University leadership will work with the combined staff of the University’s Bluefield Central one-stop administrative office to develop and document a policy to ensure that communication from the registrar’s office regarding a student’s official or unofficial withdrawal occurs within 15 days of the student’s withdrawal. The policy also will stipulate that the financial aid staff of Bluefield Central will complete R2T4 calculations within 30 days of the student’s withdrawal, and the University’s business office will return Title IV funds to the Department of Education within 40 days of a student’s withdrawal.