Section III – Findings and Questioned Costs – Major Federal Programs (Continued)

2023 – 019 – Federal Perkins Loan Program Record Retention

Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education

Federal Program Name: Federal Perkins Loan Program

Assistance Listing Number: 84.038

Federal Award Identification Number and Year: N/A

Award Period: July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023

Type of Finding:

  • Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance
  • Other Matters

Criteria or specific requirement: The Code of Federal Regulations, 34 CFR 674.19.(e), states an institution must retain promissory and master promissory notes (MPN), and repayment records for each Perkins Loan program loan made. The original promissory notes and repayment schedules must be kept until the loans are satisfied. An institution shall retain disbursement and electronic authentication and signature records for each loan made using an MPN for at least three years from the date the loan is canceled, repaid, or otherwise satisfied.

Condition: Certain loan MPNs were not retained for the three-year retention period.

Questioned costs: None.

Context: During our testing, 2 out of 5 open loans tested and 1 out of 40 of the loans assigned tested, the University was unable to locate the original promissory note and/or MPN.

Cause: The University does not have a review process in place to ensure the MPNs are kept for at least three years from the date the loan is cancelled, repaid, or otherwise satisfied.

Effect: Receivable balances are not supported by signed loan agreements.

Repeat Finding: No.

Recommendation: We recommend that the University keep MPNs for loans for the three-year retention period.

Views of responsible officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.

(117)