Finding 554792 (2024-003)

- Repeat Finding
Requirement
P
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-04-11
Audit: 353372
Organization: Limestone University (SC)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The University failed to comply with key USDA loan requirements, including timely financial statements and budget submissions.
  • Impacted Requirements: Specific unmet criteria include financial statements within 45 days, a compliance certificate, and a budget 30 days before the fiscal year.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Management should thoroughly review and adhere to all USDA loan covenants to ensure future compliance.

Finding Text

Finding 2024-003 – U.S. Department of Agriculture – Community Facilities Loan and Grant, Assistance Listing # 10.766 Compliance Requirement: Other Information Condition: U.S. Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) covenants and requirements were not adhered to. Criteria: Borrowers are required to fund reserves, maintain insurance, deposit funds in Federally insured banks, meet financial covenants, maintain sufficient debt service ratios, and in some cases comply with additional requirements established as part of the loan approval process. These requirements indicate the continuing compliance requirements that borrowers must meet. Cause: The University had turnover in the business department and non-quantitative requirements were not closely monitored. Context: The University did not meet the all the requirements per the USDA loan agreement dated as of December 16, 2021. The following requirements were not met during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024: - Internally produced financial statements within 45 days (Article V, 5.8 (b)) - Compliance certificate (Article V, 5.8 (c)) - Budget provided 30 days prior to the beginning of the new fiscal year (Article V, 5.8 (d)) - Student housing rent roll (Article V, 5.16) Effect: Lack of compliance with loan covenants and requirements. Recommendation: The University’s management should read and follow all USDA loan covenants and requirements. Management Response: The University concurs with this finding. Corrective Action Plan: See attached management’s corrective action plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Finding 2024-003 – U.S. Department of Agriculture – Community Facilities Loan and Grant, Assistance Listing # 10.766 Following the hiring of a permanent president, the new CFO has developed a quarterly reporting template to ensure compliance with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reporting requirements. The CFO submits the completed reports to the USDA on a quarterly basis and maintains regular communication with USDA representatives to address any concerns or clarifications regarding compliance.

Categories

Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking

Other Findings in this Audit

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
10.766 Community Facilities Loans and Grants $27.59M
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $12.07M
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $4.25M
84.116 Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education $532,611
84.031 Higher Education Institutional Aid $246,683
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants $157,460
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $145,769