Finding Text
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education; Office of Federal Student Aid
Pass through Entity: Not applicable
Program Name: Federal Pell Grant Program
AL# and Program Expenditures: 84.063 ($679,498)
Award Number: P063P233976
Federal Award Year: July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024
Questioned Costs: $591.50
Condition Found:
The amount of Pell grant awarded was calculated incorrectly for one of the twenty-one students who received Pell in our sample. The student in question was subjected to the lifetime eligibility used limitation. The College calculated the percentage of the Pell grant funds the student was eligible to receive correctly, but the percentage was applied to the full-time Pell award when the student was only enrolled ¾ time.
Criteria:
Federal Pell Grant eligibility is determined by a student’s expected family contribution (“EFC”), cost of attendance, and enrollment status. If a student has used between 500% and 600% of his or her Pell Lifetime Eligibility, the amount of Pell grant funds awarded should be prorated.
Cause:
The financial aid office was not informed of the change in the student’s enrollment status.
Possible Asserted Effect:
The amount of Pell grant funds awarded to the student was incorrect. $591.50 of Pell grant funds should be returned to the Department of Education.
Repeat Finding:
There was not a similar finding in the prior year.
Recommendation:
$591.50 of Pell grant funds should be returned to the Department of Education. Communication between the registrar and financial aid should be improved. The financial aid office should be made aware of enrollment status changes timely.
Management Response:
The School returned $591.50 of Pell grant funds on February 4, 2025. Communication will be improved between the financial aid office and the registrar.