FAC Explorer

Finding 564492 (2024-003)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-06-11
Audit: 358618
Organization: Prairie State College - Community College District No. 515 (IL)
Auditor: Gw & Associates PC

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The College failed to report three dependent undergraduates with baccalaureate degrees on the FISAP, which is critical information required by the Department of Education.
  • Impacted Requirements: Insufficient internal controls over the FISAP can lead to inaccuracies in reported data, affecting compliance with federal requirements.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Strengthen review procedures for the FISAP to ensure accuracy, including additional oversight by the Assistant Directors of Financial Aid before submission.

Finding Text

Criteria: The College is required to submit the FISAP which includes information that the Department of Education has determined to be critical. Condition: Section F of Part II of the FISAP includes a column for dependent undergraduates with baccalaureate degrees. Three such students were identified but not indicated on the FISAP. Context: A finding with regard to incorrect information on the FISAP for Federal Work Study was reported as 2023-006. Effect: Insufficient internal controls over the FISAP can result in errors in the amounts reported to the Department of Education. Cause: Inadequate staffing and workload management were the direct cause of this omission. Recommendation: We recommend that the College strengthen review procedures over the FISAP to ensure accuracy. Management's Response: At the time that the last FISAP was completed, the Financial Aid office was severly under staffed. As a result, an oversight occurred in regard to reporting dependent undergraduate students with Baccalaureate degree. In this instance, the correct information was retrieved, however it was reported incorrectly. Staffing in the Financial Aid office was addressed with hiring an Advisor and Assistant Director. Moving forward, the Assistant Dean will continue to complete the FISAP. However, prior to submission, the application will be reviewed by both Assistant Directors of Financial Aid.

Corrective Action Plan

At the time that the last FISAP was completed, the Financial Aid office was severely understaffed. As a result, an oversight occurred in reporting dependent undergraduate students with Baccalaureate degrees. In thi instance, the correct information was retrieved, however it was reported incorrectly. Staffing in the Financial Aid office has been addressed by hiring an Advisor and Assistant Director. Moving forward, the Assitant Dean will continue to complete the FISAP. However, prior to submission, the application will be reviewed by both Assistant Directors of Financial Aid. Contact person(s) responsible for corrective action: Yvette McGhee, Assistant Dean of Financial Aid. Anticipated completion date: Immediate

Categories

Student Financial Aid Reporting Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 564493 2024-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 564494 2024-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 564495 2024-003
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 564496 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 564497 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 564498 2024-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1140934 2024-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1140935 2024-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1140936 2024-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1140937 2024-003
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 1140938 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1140939 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 1140940 2024-002
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $5.23M
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $1.91M
93.575 Child Care and Development Block Grant $420,786
84.042 Trio Student Support Services $300,079
84.048 Career and Technical Education -- Basic Grants to States $292,872
84.002 Adult Education - Basic Grants to States $287,763
84.047 Trio Upward Bound $245,748
84.044 Trio Talent Search $238,958
84.116 Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education $176,867
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $124,181
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $99,078
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants $87,100
64.028 Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance $85,111
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $17,150
47.076 Stem Education (formerly Education and Human Resources) $11,417
94.006 Americorps State and National 94.006 $1,560