Finding 586324 (2023-001)

- Repeat Finding
Requirement
E
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-01-24
Audit: 13525
Organization: Millikin University (IL)
Auditor: Sikich LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Two out of 40 student files had errors in awarding Direct loans, leading to one student over awarded by $500 and another under awarded by $1,500.
  • Impacted Requirements: Noncompliance with eligibility criteria for Title IV aid as outlined in 34 CFR, repeating a prior year finding.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The University should review and improve its policies and procedures to ensure accurate financial aid distribution.

Finding Text

2023-001 – Student Financial Aid Cluster – (a) Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (b) Federal Work Study Program (c) Federal Perkins Loan Program – Federal Capital Contributions (d) Federal Pell Grant Program (e) Federal Direct Student Loans (f) Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH), Assistance Listing No. (a) 84.007 (b) 84.033 (c) 84.038 (d) 84.063 (e) 84.268 (f) 84.379 – Year Ended June 30, 2023 Criteria: 34 CFR 685.101 (b)(1) notes, “an eligible undergraduate student who is enrolled at a school participating in the Direct Loan Program may borrow under the Direct Subsidized Loan and Direct Unsubsidized Loan programs.” The order of dispersing aid requires that grants and subsidized loans be considered first. 34 CFR 685.200(a)(iii) “In the case of an undergraduate student who seeks a Direct Subsidized Loan or a Direct Unsubsidized Loan at a school that participates in the Federal Pell Grant Program, the student has received a determination of Federal Pell Grant eligibility for the period of enrollment for which the loan is sought.” Condition: In two of the 40 student files tested (5%), Subsidized and Unsubsidized Direct loans we not properly awarded. The University over awarded one student by $500 in Unsubsidized loans. Another student was under awarded $938 in Subsidized loans and under awarded $562 in Unsubsidized loans.We consider this condition to be an instance of noncompliance relating to the Eligibility compliance requirement and a repeat of prior year finding 2022-001. Statistical sampling was not used in making sample selections. Questioned Costs: $0 Cause and Effect: Without proper review of eligibility of financial aid, students may receive an incorrect amount of Title IV aid. Students should receive the proper amount of aid. Recommendation: We recommend the University evaluate policies and procedures to ensure students receive the proper amount of Title IV aid. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with this Single Audit Finding and response is included in the Corrective Action Plan.

Categories

Student Financial Aid Eligibility Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking

Other Findings in this Audit

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $13.03M
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $3.12M
84.038 Federal Perkins Loan - Federal Capital Contributions $1.64M
97.036 Disaster Grants - Public Assistance (presidentially Declared Disasters) $570,582
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $285,372
93.493 Community Project of Funding - Congressionally Directed Spending - Construction $260,146
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants $209,191
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $15,458
84.379 Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grants (teach Grants) $13,202
47.079 Office of International Science and Engineering $5,192