Finding 538843 (2024-001)

Criteria – Institutions are required, for each student whose application is selected by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), to verify the information required for the verification tracking group to which the applicant is assigned. Condition – For one out of 40 students selected for testing, the University did not perform the required verification procedures. Cause – The University was required to verify the student’s and parents’ AGI, income taxes paid, additional income, and family size and family members attending college. Per the July 8, 2022 Federal Register, income information for tax filers is not required to be separately verified if the school identified the information as being obtained using the Internal Revenue System Data Retrieval Tool (IRS DRT) and the information was not changed. This student’s Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) indicated that the student’s parents did not use the IRS DRT; however, the parents incorrectly indicated on their verification worksheet that they did use the IRS DRT. Although the parents reported incorrect information, the University is responsible for ensuring that the IRS DRT was used. As a result, the University failed to verify the required parents’ income information. Effect – The University was not in compliance with the DOE’s requirements for verification. Recommendation – We recommend that the University develop policies and procedures surrounding verification information that is reported on the ISIR in order to ensure verification is completed accurately. View of Responsible Officials – We agree with the auditor’s finding as set forth above. The University has experienced turnover in recent years in the financial aid department. The University provided additional training to financial aid staff to ensure review of student information received is completed accurately and agrees with the information provided on the student’s ISIR.