Finding 854 (2022-001)

-
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-10-27
Audit: 1636
Organization: Helene Fuld College of Nursing (NY)
Auditor: Uhy LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Two students received federal loans exceeding their aggregate limits for the 2022-2023 academic year.
  • Impacted Requirements: The College failed to certify loan amounts and establish a proper disbursement schedule as required by federal regulations.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Ensure ongoing training for financial aid staff and maintain external reviews of loan awards to prevent future over-awards.

Finding Text

Finding Number 2022-001 CFDA Number: 84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans Criteria: Per 2 eCFR section 685.300, indicates that an institution must certify that the amount of the loan for any student is not in excess of the annual limit applicable for that loan program and that the amount of the loan, in combination with previous loans by the borrower, is not in excess of the aggregate limit for that loan program and must set forth a schedule for disbursement for the proceeds of the loan in installments Condition: During 2022, two students were awarded federal loans for the 2022-2023 academic year in excess of their aggregate limits. The over-awards were divided evenly among the three terms of the academic year. As such, the College did not set forth a schedule for disbursement for the proceeds of the loan in installments. There was no review performed over the awarding of the aid. This was self-identified by management and self-corrected. Since the over awards were discovered, the College has changed the process so that an external consultant reviews all files and makes preliminary award decisions. The consultant reviewed 189 files, noting no additional over awards. Additionally, the VP of Student Services now reviews all awards. Cause: The College’s staff in the financial aid office was not adequately trained to recognize flags raised by the College’s tracking software Effect: Two students received loans for more than they were authorized to receive. Prevalence: This is an isolated incident as the College has reviewed disbursements made to 189 students and discovered no additional instances of an over-award.

Corrective Action Plan

Since the fall of 2022, when these incidents occurred, the College has worked regularly with BPS, its financial aid consultant, to make sure all awards are compliant and to provide appropriate training to the College’s financial aid staff. The training is continuous and is being done by both BPS and Ms. Joanna Ojada, who is now the Vice President of Student Services. Last fall, the President centralized all responsibility for financial aid under Ms. Ojada. Ms. Ojada is now responsible for all award compliance. In addition, the College is in the process of purchasing upgraded financial aid modules from Anthology. These modules will automate much of the financial aid processing and reduce the risk of manual error. The College has reached out to the Department of Education to discuss these over awards. The Department has advised the College that the College does not need to return the funds or to open up prior award years. The Department will enforce the loans against the students.

Categories

Student Financial Aid Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking

Other Findings in this Audit

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $3.77M
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $1.08M
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $492,365
84.116 Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education $322,767
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants $41,680