Finding Text
Finding No. 2022-003 ? Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds Earmarking Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Program: COVID-19 Education Stabilization Fund: ALN: 84.425 Criteria: The American Rescue Plan created a new requirement that a portion of the HEERF III institutional funds must be used to conduct direct outreach to financial aid applicants about the opportunity to receive a financial aid adjustment due to the recent unemployment of a family member or independent student, or other circumstances, described in section 479A of the Higher Education Act. Condition: There was no evidence that direct outreach was performed during the fiscal year in which the remaining federal fundings under the award were expended. Questioned Costs: None. Prevalence: There was no evidence that direct outreach occurred as required by the program. Effect: Not complying with requirements outlined within applicable grant agreements could result in the DOE withholding payments to the College. Cause: This issue is a result of a lack of proper understanding of applicable requirements. Recommendation: The Federal funding for this program has ended. If the DOE should add additional funding or create new or similar programs, we recommend that management implement a control to regularly monitor and manage changes to rules and regulations promulgated by the DOE. Reporting Views of Management and Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding and corrective actions will be made.