Finding Text
2022-003 U.S. Department of Education Education Stabilization Fund Cluster COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund ? ARPA Institutional Portion (Federal Assistance Listing Number 84.425F) Federal Award Year: 2021-2022 Finding: The University improperly discharged a student?s debt who did not meet the guidelines of their debt discharge policy. Criteria: One of The University?s guidelines for students to be eligible for debt discharge was to be enrolled after March 13, 2020. Condition: A student who had left the University in 2019 received debt discharge in the amount of $2,984. However, as the student was not enrolled after March 13, 2020 they were not eligible for debt discharge. Cause: The University?s debt discharge process improperly included this student who had not been enrolled at the University since 2019, resulting in student receiving debt discharge when based on the University?s policy they were not eligible. Effect: Noncompliance with federal regulations for COVID-19 Education Stabilization programs. Context: One of forty students tested with debit discharge. Questioned costs: Over award of $2,984 of debt discharge of COVID-19 Education Stabilization funds. Recommendation: Management should review its control to verify a student was properly enrolled at March 13, 2020 and HEERF funds are in compliance with the University?s policy and federal regulations. Views of responsible officials: Management agrees with this finding. Please see corrective action plan.