Finding 551508 (2024-001)

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Requirement
E
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-03-31
Audit: 352114
Organization: Valor Christian College (OH)
Auditor: Sikich CPA LLC

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Two students did not receive the full amount of their Federal Direct Subsidized Loans due to incorrect grade level and loan packaging errors.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with eligibility criteria for subsidized loans, specifically the maximum allowable amount for second-year students.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Reclassify $2,124 from unsubsidized to subsidized loans and enhance controls over loan packaging processes.

Finding Text

FINDING 2024-001: UNDERAWARDED FEDERAL DIRECT SUBSIDIZED LOANS FEDERAL AGENCY: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PROGRAM NAME: SFA CLUSTER ALN: 84.268 FEDERAL AWARD YEAR: 2022-2023, 2023-2024 Compliance Requirement: Eligibility (E.) Criteria: A second year student can receive up to $4,500 in subsidized loans in one academic year (34 CFR 685.203). Condition: We tested forty files, thirty-six of which were Federal Direct Loan recipients, and two students did not receive the full amount of their Federal Direct Subsidized Loans. We consider this finding to be a instance of noncompliance. Cause: The condition was caused by using an incorrect grade level for one student and by not maximizing full subsidized loan eligibility prior to packaging unsubsidized loans for the other student. Effect or Potential Effect: The result is students received unsubsidized loans prior to receiving full subsidized loans. Statistical sampling was not used when making sample selections. Questioned Costs : $0 Recommendation: We recommend the College reclassify $2,124 from unsubsidized to subsidized and increase controls over packaging direct loans. Views of Responsible Officials: The College agrees with the Single Audit Finding and a response is included in the Corrective Action Plan.

Corrective Action Plan

FINDING 2024-001: UNDERAWARDED FEDERAL DIRECT SUBSIDIZED LOANS- the auditor tested forty files, thirty-six of which were Federal Direct Loan recipients, and two students did not receive the full amount of their Federal Direct Subsidized Loans. It is recommended the College reclassify $2,124 from unsubsidized to subsidized and increase controls over packaging direct loans. Comments on Finding and Recommendation(s): We concur with the finding and we believe that these account represent a unique situtation. Actions Taken or Planned: For A1, Valor was able to rectify the account because it was within the 180-day limit. We have implemented an internal audit process that takes place twice each semester to reconcile federal aid awarded with the appropriate aid based on enrollment status and grade level. For A-2, Value is unable to reallocate subsidized and unsubsidized awards for the second student as the 180-day limit has passed. The student was awarded the correct total amount of aid. Moving forward, Valor will generate an NSLDS report whenever a 258 ISIR code appears on the ISIR to ensure proper aid allocation.

Categories

Student Financial Aid Eligibility Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking

Other Findings in this Audit

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $2.77M
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $1.36M
84.425 Covid-19 Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Institutions $183,980