Finding 8958 (2023-002)

Material Weakness
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-01-18
Audit: 12261
Organization: Montreat College (NC)
Auditor: Sikich LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The College failed to report graduate status changes for 50% of students within the required 60-day timeframe.
  • Impacted Requirements: Non-compliance with 34 CFR 690.83(b)(2) and 34 CFR 685.309(b)(1-2) regarding timely reporting of student status.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Enhance training on compliance and establish controls to ensure timely and accurate enrollment status reporting.

Finding Text

2023-002 – Student Financial Aid Cluster – (a) Federal Pell Grant (b) Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (c) Federal Work Study Grant (d) Federal Perkins Loan Program (e) Federal Direct Student Loans (f) Teacher education Assistance for College and Higher Education ALN No. (a) 84.063 (b) 84.007 (c) 84.033 (d) 84.038 (e) 84.268 (f) 84.379 – Year Ended June 30, 2023 Criteria: 34 CFR 690.83 (b)(2) states the institution shall submit "in accordance with deadline dates established by the Secretary, through publication in the Federal Register, other reports and information with Secretary requires and shall comply with the procedures the Secretary finds necessary to ensure that the reports are correct.” 34 CFR 685.309(b)(1-2) states “upon receipt of a student status confirmation report from the Secretary, complete and return that report to the Secretary within 30 days of receipt; and unless it expects to submit its next student status confirmation report to the Secretary within the next 60 days, notify the Secretary within the next 60 days, notify the Secretary with 30 days if it discovers that a Direct Subsidized, Direct Unsubsidized, or Direct PLUS Loan has been made to or on behalf of student…" Condition: The College did not report graduate status changes within 60 days for ten out of twenty students (50%) tested. We consider this condition to be a material weakness of internal control over compliance relating to the Special Tests and Provisions compliance requirement. Statistical sampling was not used in making sample selections. Questioned Costs: $0 Effect: The College has not timely and accurately submitted enrollment status information, which has the potential to delay the start of the repayment period for students who have received loans. Recommendation: We recommend the College continually educate themselves on compliance requirements regarding enrollment reporting and implement controls to help timely and accurately report enrollment statuses. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with this Single Audit Finding and response is included in the Corrective Action Plan.

Corrective Action Plan

2023-002 – Student Financial Aid Cluster – (a) Federal Pell Grant (b) Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (c) Federal Work Study Grant (d) Federal Perkins Loan Program (e) Federal Direct Student Loans (f) Teacher education Assistance for College and Higher Education ALN No. (a) 84.063 (b) 84.007 (c) 84.033 (d) 84.038 (e) 84.268 (f) 84.379 – Year Ended June 30, 2023 Condition Found The College did not report graduate status changes within 60 days for ten out of twenty students (50%) tested. We consider this condition to be a material weakness of internal control over compliance relating to the Special Tests and Provisions compliance requirement. Corrective Action Plan The Registrar has updated its process to report the graduate status within 30 days of the end of each semester. Student Financial Services has set up an additional process to follow up with the Registrar at the end of each semester to ensure it has been completed. Responsible Person for Corrective Action Plan Fred Miller – Registrar Jeremy Hurse – Director of Student Financial Services Deborah Beck – Associate Director of Student Financial Services Implementation Date of Corrective Action Plan 10/11/2023

Categories

Student Financial Aid Reporting Special Tests & Provisions Material Weakness Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 8959 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 8960 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 8961 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 8962 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 8963 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 8964 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 8965 2023-004
    - Repeat
  • 8966 2023-005
    -
  • 585400 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 585401 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 585402 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 585403 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 585404 2023-002
    Material Weakness
  • 585405 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 585406 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 585407 2023-004
    - Repeat
  • 585408 2023-005
    -

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $8.12M
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $1.70M
84.038 Federal Perkins Loan - Federal Capital Contributions $590,349
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $138,401
12.905 Cybersecurity Core Curriculum $83,782
21.019 Coronavirus Relief Fund $78,516
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants $77,883
12.902 Information Security Grants $74,403
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $53,777