FAC Explorer

Finding 578698 (2023-002)

-
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2023-11-21
Audit: 3911
Organization: Vermont State Colleges (VT)
Auditor: Withumsmith+brown PC

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Students were not notified when they failed to meet the Colleges’ satisfactory academic progress (SAP) standards.
  • Impacted Requirements: The Colleges did not follow the required procedures for notifying students, which is essential for maintaining eligibility for Title IV assistance.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Strengthen notification controls to ensure all students who fall below SAP standards receive timely communication regarding their academic status.

Finding Text

Criteria According to 34 CFR 668.34: (a) An institution must establish a reasonable satisfactory academic progress policy for determining whether an otherwise eligible student is making satisfactory academic progress in his or her educational program and may receive assistance under the title IV, HEA programs. (9) If the institution permits a student to appeal a determination by the institution that he or she is not making satisfactory academic progress, the policy describes – (i) How the student may reestablish his or her eligibility to receive assistance under the title IV, HEA programs; (ii) The basis on which a student may file an appeal: The death of a relative, an injury or illness of the student, or other special circumstances; and (iii) Information the student must submit regarding why the student failed to make satisfactory academic progress, and what has changed in the student's situation that will allow the student to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress at the next evaluation. Condition The Colleges’ satisfactory academic progress policy (“SAP”) allows for a student who fails to meet the minimum standard to be provided one semester of academic warning. If the student does not improve, as described in the Colleges’ SAP, the student will be dismissed from the Colleges unless the student successfully appeals the dismissal. Our testing revealed that four students failed to meet the minimum standards established by the Colleges’ SAP. Of these four students, one student did not receive notification that they were out of compliance of the Colleges’ SAP. Cause The Colleges failed to have the proper review procedures in place to ensure that all students who did not meet the minimum SAP standards received proper notification. Effect Students did not receive notification of their current academic standing and as such were unable to submit an appeal. Questioned Costs Not applicable Perspective Our sample was not, and was not intended to be, statistically valid. Of the 40 students selected for testing, 1 student, or 2.5%, failed to meet the minimum standards established by the Colleges’ SAP. Identification as a Repeat Finding, if applicable Not applicable Recommendation The Colleges should continue to strengthen their controls surrounding notification to students who have failed to meet the minimum standards per the SAP. View of Responsible Officials The Colleges agree with the finding.

Categories

Student Financial Aid Eligibility

Other Findings in this Audit

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $26.17M
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $13.10M
84.042 Trio_student Support Services $1.50M
84.047 Trio_upward Bound $1.31M
93.575 Child Care and Development Block Grant $1.30M
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $1.27M
59.077 Community Navigator Pilot Program $1.16M
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants $1.11M
59.037 Small Business Development Centers $1.01M
90.601 Northern Border Regional Development $810,690
84.031 Higher Education_institutional Aid $797,633
84.116 Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education $333,171
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $329,611
94.006 Americorps $308,447
84.048 Career and Technical Education -- Basic Grants to States $292,268
84.217 Trio_mcnair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement $246,016
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $238,154
16.753 Congressionally Recommended Awards $224,446
93.236 Grants to States to Support Oral Health Workforce Activities $210,251
45.162 Promotion of the Humanities_teaching and Learning Resources and Curriculum Development $175,896
17.285 Apprenticeship USA Grants $169,186
93.859 Biomedical Research and Research Training $150,474
84.334 Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs $146,104
47.073 National Science Foundation/uvm/ns $123,509
93.959 Block Grants for Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse $90,548
93.778 Medical Assistance Program $77,868
93.391 Activities to Support State, Tribal, Local and Territorial (stlt) Health Department Response to Public Health Or Healthcare Crises $75,721
11.611 Manufacturing Extension Partnership $67,504
93.958 Block Grants for Community Mental Health Services $64,295
93.243 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services_projects of Regional and National Significance $62,000
59.059 Congressional Community Project $58,847
47.050 Geosciences $52,669
20.205 Highway Planning and Construction $48,093
93.855 Allergy, Immunology and Transplantation Research $47,906
11.307 Economic Adjustment Assistance $41,778
93.084 Prevention of Disease, Disability, and Death by Infectious Diseases $38,305
84.181 Special Education-Grants for Infants and Families $33,910
10.575 Farm to School Grant Program $20,408
17.720 Disability Employment Policy Development $19,364
10.500 Cooperative Extension Service $17,899
43.001 Science $7,008
93.434 Every Student Succeeds Act/preschool Development Grants $7,000
45.025 Promotion of the Arts_partnership Agreements $3,122
11.467 Meteorologic and Hydrologic Modernization Development $1,066
93.888 Specially Selected Health Projects $944