2024-005 – Over Award of Federal Pell Grant Program Funds (Significant Deficiency) Department of Education, SFA Cluster, Special Tests and Provisions Criteria: In accordance with 34 CFR 668.32, a student is eligible to receive Title IV, HEA program assistance if the student meets all of the requirements in 34 CFR 668.32 paragraphs (a) through (m). 34 CFR 668.32(a)(1)(i) requires the student to be a regular student enrolled, or accepted for enrollment, in an eligible program at an eligible institution. Condition: Of 26 students tested for eligibility, one student received Title IV, HEA program assistance for a semester that the student was not enrolled in. Cause: Controls are not functioning properly. Effect: Title IV program funds were awarded to a student who was not eligible to receive such funds. Recommendation: We recommend the University review and update its procedures to ensure that Title IV funds are awarded properly. Management Response: The University acknowledges the over-award of Title IV funds due to disbursement for a student who was not enrolled during the term in question. In response, the University has strengthened its internal controls to ensure that federal aid is awarded and disbursed only to students who meet all eligibility criteria as outlined in 34 CFR 668.32. Corrective actions taken include: 1) System Validation Enhancements: The student information system has been updated to include enhanced enrollment validation checks before the release of Title IV funds. Title IV disbursements are now restricted to students with confirmed active enrollment in eligible programs for the applicable term. This is enforced through automated disbursement blocks that are triggered when enrollment data is missing or inconsistent. 2) Pre-Disbursement Review Process: A pre-disbursement verification step has been implemented, requiring financial aid staff to confirm active enrollment statuses before releasing funds. 3) Staff Training: Targeted training has been provided to financial aid staff on Title IV enrollment eligibility requirements. Responsible Party and contact information: Triniti Lee – Financial Aid Processor, Leetk2@webber.edu. Expected Date of Correction: 8/1/2025