FAC Explorer

Finding 558451 (2024-002)

- Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-04-30
Audit: 355152
Organization: Sistema Universitario Ana G. Mendez, Incorporado (PR)
Auditor: Kevane Grant Thornton

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Nine students had incorrect calculations for Title IV fund returns, a repeat issue from last year.
  • Impacted Requirements: Eight students had inaccurate enrollment period days, affecting compliance with federal regulations.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Correct the ERP system errors for OPEID 394100 and review all related calculations to prevent future overpayments.

Finding Text

In testing compliance with the return of Title IV funds requirements, we made a selection of ninety (90) students who withdrew, dropped-out, or failed to attend the University and noted that for nine (9) students, the amount returned was not calculated correctly. This is a repeat finding from prior year, finding 2023-02. In addition, we also noted that eight students did not have the correct number of days in the enrollment period. The differences in the days and the incorrect calculation of the return of Title IV funds was due to an error in OPEID 394100 where the academic year was incorrectly entered into the ERP system during the first semester. The other error in the calculation of the return of Title IV funds was an isolated case in OPEID 2587500. The average of overpaid per student in OPEID 394100 was $159. When the error is extrapolated to the total amount of students (68) that had returns for OPEID 394100 for the first semester, the total estimated overpayment is $10,890. This amount is the estimated amount of overpayment made to the U.S. Department of Education based on the error identified. For fiscal year 2024, the total amount returned by the Institution amounted to $1,124,923.

Corrective Action Plan

A user guide will be reviewed by the Registrar describing the steps to assemble the academic year in Banner system. This document will outline all the validation tables managed at the registrar’s office that have an impact on financial aid office procedures. In a coordinated effort with the financial aid office, a review process will be conducted for cases involving total withdrawal transactions. A report will be created to ensure the accuracy of the information and to identify any discrepancies. To provide a comprehensive analysis, the report will help identify the cases that impact the return of Title IV funds.

Categories

Student Financial Aid

Other Findings in this Audit

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $90.04M
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $87.59M
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $2.27M
84.031 Higher Education Institutional Aid $2.21M
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants $1.73M
84.335 Child Care Access Means Parents in School $1.00M
81.123 National Nuclear Security Administration (nnsa) Minority Serving Institutions (msi) Program $960,277
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $872,977
84.042 Trio Student Support Services $733,333
84.047 Trio Upward Bound $676,325
11.028 Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program $672,956
84.160 Training Interpreters for Individuals Who Are Deaf and Individuals Who Are Deaf-Blind $626,490
14.218 Community Development Block Grants/entitlement Grants $558,683
81.049 Office of Science Financial Assistance Program $493,687
84.044 Trio Talent Search $450,761
47.076 Stem Education (formerly Education and Human Resources) $387,898
93.247 Advanced Nursing Education Workforce Grant Program $240,388
84.120 Minority Science and Engineering Improvement $208,387
10.223 Hispanic Serving Institutions Education Grants $196,897
59.043 Women's Business Ownership Assistance $95,123
10.310 Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (afri) $82,913
93.142 Niehs Hazardous Waste Worker Health and Safety Training $72,484
81.117 Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Information Dissemination, Outreach, Training and Technical Analysis/assistance $68,961
93.242 Mental Health Research Grants $65,965
10.175 Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program $46,743
93.859 Biomedical Research and Research Training $41,862
45.301 Museums for America $38,416
21.019 Coronavirus Relief Fund $35,627
43.008 Office of Stem Engagement (ostem) $32,576
84.379 Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grants (teach Grants) $31,078
10.308 Resident Instruction, Agriculture, and Food Science Facilities and Equipment Grants $26,608
93.600 Head Start $26,299
10.318 Women and Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Fields $23,453
47.049 Mathematical and Physical Sciences $21,008
94.013 Americorps Volunteers in Service to America 94.013 $9,684
84.326 Special Education Technical Assistance and Dissemination to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities $7,836
94.006 Americorps State and National 94.006 $5,967
10.522 Food and Agriculture Service Learning Program $2,232
15.605 Sport Fish Restoration $669
19.040 Public Diplomacy Programs $-3,351