Finding Text
Finding 2022-001: Significant Deficiency - Title IV Credit Balances Federal Program: Student Financial Assistance Cluster Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Pass-Through Entity: Not Applicable Assistance Listing Number (ALN): 84.268 and 84.379 Federal Award Number: P268K221780 and P379T221780 Federal Award Year: June 30, 2022 Criteria: Title IV regulations (34 CFR 668.164(h)(1) require that Title IV credit balances on student accounts be paid directly to the student as soon as possible but no later than 14 days after the balance occurred. A student or parent may authorize the Institution to hold the credit balance to be applied to specified other nontuition fees, room and board charges, up to $200 of prior year, or future charges as noted in the regulations at (34 CFR 668.165(b)). Condition/Context: For 4 of 25 students tested, the credit balance was not resolved in compliance with the regulations, the student?s Title IV credit balances on their accounts were held and applied to future charges without student or parent authorization. The first student?s Title IV credit balance was $759 of Direct Loan funds, the second student?s was $3,702 of Direct Loan funds, the third student?s was $390 of Direct Loan funds and the fourth student?s was $2,850 of Direct Loan funds and $943 of Teach Grant funds. The sample was not a statistically valid sample. Cause: The University?s controls surrounding Title IV credit balances being paid timely or being held only when authorized by the student/parent did not detect or appropriately handle the Title IV credit balances. Effect: Title IV credit balances were held without student/parent authorization and applied to future charges. Questioned Costs: Total questioned costs were $7,701 of Direct Student Loan funds ALN 84.268 and $943 of Teach Grant funds ALN 84.379. Recommendation: The University should revise its procedures to ensure Title IV credit balances are paid timely or student/parent authorizations to hold funds are obtained. Management?s Response: The University agrees with the finding. The occurrence of Title IV credit balances occurs primarily with graduate program students. A review is being conducted of current internal control processes and evaluating what additional reporting is capable within the student information system to assist in identifying these Title IV credit balances in a more timely manner. Title IV credit balances are being monitored during the Spring 2023 terms and new procedures will be put in place for the Fall 2024 term.