Finding 569978 (2024-004)

Material Weakness
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-07-01
Audit: 361246
Organization: Dillard University (LA)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The University submitted incorrect data in the FISAP report, impacting compliance with federal reporting requirements.
  • Impacted Requirements: OMB 2 CFR 200 mandates accurate reporting of federal awards, supported by proper accounting records.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement controls to ensure accurate FISAP submissions, with reconciled financial records and collaborative reviews by Financial Aid and Accounting staff.

Finding Text

Audit Finding Reference Number 2024-004 – Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP) Federal Program and Specific Federal Award Identification CFDA Title and Number 84.033 Federal Work Study Program (FWS) 84.038 Federal Perkins Loan Program Federal Award Year June 30, 2024 Federal Agencies U. S. Department of Education Pass-Through Entity Not applicable Criteria OMB 2 CFR 200, Subpart F Compliance Supplement Part 5, Appendix A, Student Financial Assistance – Reporting Compliance Requirement, Special Reporting Section (L) (3) indicates that the University should submit its FISAP report containing critical information. The Compliance Supplement requires the auditor to examine financial reports to provide reasonable assurance that the reports of Federal awards submitted to the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity include all activity of the reporting period, be supported by underlying accounting or performance records, and are fairly presented in accordance with program requirements. Conditions and Context During my audit of the FISAP report, I noted several key line items reported incorrect data from the University’s accounting records: • Part III- Federal Perkins Loan Program, Section A. Fiscal Report (Cumulative), • Part III – Federal Perkins Loan Program, Section F. Capital Contribution to the Perkins Fund, and • Part V – Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program, Section C. Total Compensation for FWS. Cause Changes in the University’s staffing prevented key personnel from completing the FISAP reporting correctly and adequately. Questioned Costs For the purpose of this finding, I have not questioned any costs. Effect The University is not in compliance with the federal reporting requirements. Repeat Finding No.   Recommendation I recommend that the University implement controls to ensure the FISAP is submitted with all supporting documentation provided and available for review. Management’s Response The University concurs with this finding. Due to turnover in critical roles, the FY24 FISAP contained inaccuracies. The University has appointed an interim Controller to oversee the correction of reporting processes. The new process will require that all FISAP data be supported by reconciled financial records and reviewed collaboratively by Financial Aid and Accounting staff. Process updates and internal review checklists will be developed in time for the FY25 submission, with training and testing of the new approach by June 30, 2026.

Corrective Action Plan

The University concurs with this finding. Due to turnover in critical roles, the FY24 FISAP contained inaccuracies. The University has appointed an interim Controller to oversee the correction of reporting processes. The new process will require that all FISAP data be supported by reconciled financial records and reviewed collaboratively by Financial Aid and Accounting staff. Process updates and internal review checklists will be developed in time for the FY25 submission, with training and testing of the new approach by June 30, 2026.

Categories

Student Financial Aid Reporting Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 569976 2024-002
    Material Weakness
  • 569977 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 569979 2024-005
    Material Weakness
  • 569980 2024-005
    Material Weakness
  • 569981 2024-005
    Material Weakness
  • 569982 2024-005
    Material Weakness
  • 569983 2024-005
    Material Weakness
  • 569984 2024-005
    Material Weakness
  • 569985 2024-005
    Material Weakness
  • 569986 2024-005
    Material Weakness
  • 569987 2024-005
    Material Weakness
  • 1146418 2024-002
    Material Weakness
  • 1146419 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1146420 2024-004
    Material Weakness
  • 1146421 2024-005
    Material Weakness
  • 1146422 2024-005
    Material Weakness
  • 1146423 2024-005
    Material Weakness
  • 1146424 2024-005
    Material Weakness
  • 1146425 2024-005
    Material Weakness
  • 1146426 2024-005
    Material Weakness
  • 1146427 2024-005
    Material Weakness
  • 1146428 2024-005
    Material Weakness
  • 1146429 2024-005
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $10.84M
84.031 Higher Education Institutional Aid $6.42M
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $4.90M
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $3.97M
84.044 Trio Talent Search $423,085
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $352,452
84.042 Trio Student Support Services $328,356
84.217 Trio McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement $318,672
12.800 Air Force Defense Research Sciences Program $280,806
93.859 Biomedical Research and Research Training $181,856
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants $181,661
84.120 Minority Science and Engineering Improvement $157,699
47.076 Stem Education (formerly Education and Human Resources) $103,266
45.162 Promotion of the Humanities Teaching and Learning Resources and Curriculum Development $87,534
93.364 Nursing Student Loans $83,000
94.006 Americorps State and National 94.006 $77,147
84.184 School Safely National Activities $77,103
93.084 Prevention of Disease, Disability, and Death by Infectious Diseases $59,951
93.391 Activities to Support State, Tribal, Local and Territorial (stlt) Health Department Response to Public Health Or Healthcare Crises $57,322
93.368 21st Century Cures Act - Precision Medicine Initiative $55,803
47.050 Geosciences $54,031
81.049 Office of Science Financial Assistance Program $52,049
16.525 Grants to Reduce Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking on Campus $40,166
12.902 Information Security Grants $26,205
47.075 Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences $25,354
93.421 Strengthening Public Health Systems and Services Through National Partnerships to Improve and Protect the Nation’s Health $21,856
47.070 Computer and Information Science and Engineering $15,677
93.865 Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research $15,210
43.001 Science $14,678
15.932 Preservation of Historic Structures on the Campuses of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (hbcus). $11,400
93.307 Minority Health and Health Disparities Research $9,154
10.217 Higher Education - Institution Challenge Grants Program $7,258
43.008 Office of Stem Engagement (ostem) $6,818
19.009 Academic Exchange Programs - Undergraduate Programs $2,310