UNIVERSITY OF THE SCIENCES IN PHILADELPHIA

Criteria: An institution is required to establish written policies and procedures that incorporate the provisions of 34 CFR 668.51 through 668.61 for verifying applicant information for those applicants selected for verification by ED. The institution shall require each applicant whose application is selected by ED to verify the information required for the Verification Tracking Group to which the applicant is assigned. However, certain applicants are excluded from the verification process as listed in 34 CFR 668.54(b). The institution shall also require applicants to verify any information used to calculate an applicant?s EFC that the institution has reason to believe is inaccurate and provide an accurate code for the individual?s verification status in the Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) system. (34 CFR 668.54(a); FSA Handbook Application and Verification Guide, Chapter 4). For the 2021-2022 processing year, the requirement for verification of most Free Application for Federal Student Aid/Institutional Student Information Record (FAFSA?/ISIR) information was waived by ED due to COVID-19, except for Identity/Statement of Educational Purpose and High School Completion Status under Verification Tracking Groups V4 and V5, as outlined in Dear Colleague Letter GEN-21- 05. However, this waiver does not exempt institutions from resolving conflicting information if concerns arise. Condition: One out of the six students selected for V4 (Custom Verification Group) was not verified. The verification packet was returned incomplete from the student; however the University?s financial aid department marked the verification as being complete. Context: The selected student?s verification packet was incomplete but was marked as complete by the University. Cause: The University?s financial aid team received the V4 Verification Worksheet from the student. The V4 Verification Worksheet requires the student to fill out certain personal information, a statement of educational purpose (provided in person, or notarized), and proof of high school completion. In the selected instance, the student did not fill out the statement of educational purpose portion of the verification packet. Upon return of the form, it was reviewed and approved by university staff within the system, despite the supporting packet being incomplete. Effect: Verification of selected students was not completed. Questioned costs: None. Repeat Finding: No. Recommendation: We recommend that management adheres consistently to its policies around the verification of student information to ensure compliance with verification requirements. We further recommend that management perform a monitoring review for the list of students selected for verification at a level of precision that would identify any errors or instances of noncompliance with federal requirements and that this review be documented. Views of Responsible Officials: As discussed in Note A to the financial statements, the University merged with and into Saint Joseph?s University on June 1, 2022.

As discussed in Note A to the financial statements, the University merged with and into Saint Joseph?s University on June 1, 2022.