Finding Text
Finding 2024-002: Eligibility - Satisfactory Academic Progress - Significant Deficiency
Repeat Finding: 2023-002
ALN: 84.268 Federal Direct Loan Program; 84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program, 84.033 Federal Work
Study Program, 84.007 Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant; 84.038 Federal Perkins
Loan Program
Award Year: July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education
Pass-Through Entity: Not applicable
Criteria: To begin and to continue to participate in any Title IV, the Higher Education Act of 1965
(HEA) program, an institution shall demonstrate to the Secretary that the institution is capable of
adequately administering that program under each of the standards established under 34 CFR
668.16. One of these standards states that for purposes of determining student eligibility for
assistance under a Title IV, HEA program, the institution must establish, publish, and apply
reasonable standards for measuring whether an otherwise eligible student is maintaining satisfactory
academic progress in his or her educational program.
Condition: Of the sixty students tested for eligibility, three students did not meet satisfactory academic
progress. The College was not able to provide the academic probation warning or Academic Action
Plan that was sent to these students in line with the College's policy. The sample was not a
statistically valid sample.
Cause: The College had turnover in staffing within the financial aid department causing these
procedures to be missed.
Effect: If the College is not following their policies and procedures for determining student eligibility of
Title IV aid, there could be unallowable aid disbursed which could affect the College's ability to
continue participating in the Title IV program.
Questioned Costs: None.
Recommendation: It is recommended that the school designate an employee within the financial aid
department to be responsible for monitoring academic progress and following the procedures stated
within the College's Academic Progress Policy when a student does not meet the minimum
standards.
Management Response: The College concurs with the finding and is in the process of implementing a
policy when satisfactory academic progress is run, students will be notified via mail or email of their
academic standing. Students who are suspended will have an opportunity to appeal their suspension.
If the appeal of suspension is approved, students will meet with their academic advisor to be placed
on an academic plan. The academic plan must be signed by both the student and advisor. The
academic plan must be submitted to the Office of Financial Aid via the teams. A financial aid hold will
be placed on the student's account until the signed academic plan is received. Once received, the
Office of Financial Aid will remove the hold so the student can be awarded.