Finding Text
Information on the Federal Program: Student Financial Assistance Cluster; SEOG (ALN 84.007),PELL (ALN 84.063), and Direct Loans (ALN 84.268); United States Department of Education; Award Year 2023-24; Compliance requirement – Special Tests and Provisions; Type of Finding: Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance.
Criteria: Institutions should have proper internal controls in place to ensure compliance with the NSLDS reporting requirements of 34 CFR section 690.83(b)(2) and 34 CFR section 685.309 and with the timely return of Title IV funds under 34 CFR 668.21, 34 CFR 668.61, and 34 CFR 668.22(j).
Condition: Lack of appropriate internal controls over compliance allowed for the findings noted in 2024-001 and 2024-002 above.
Context: These errors affected twelve NSLDS reports and all students that withdrew or graduated during the year, as well as twenty-six students that either didn’t enroll, withdrew, or were over-awarded aid.
Cause: Inadequate oversight to ensure compliance with these SFA requirements, due to inadequate staffing and continued difficulties with the Ellucian software system.
Effect or Possible Effect: Students could be allowed to not begin loan repayment when required. University could retain funds improperly. Other errors could occur.
Recommendation: Follow recommendations noted above in 2024-001 and 2024-002.
Responsible Official’s Response and Corrective Action Planned: See corrective action plan.