Fayetteville State University audit finds 14 problem areas

Fayetteville, N.C. — Fayetteville State University gave wrong financial aid awards to some of its students, and some university employees had unnecessary access to student information, according to an audit released Friday.

Those were two of 14 findings in State Auditor Leslie Merritt’s report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007.

Finding #8 showed that the university made errors in awarding financial aid to several students. As a result, some students received the wrong award amounts while others received the wrong type of federal loan.

“One student received a $650 Pell grant when the student should have received a $2,025 Pell grant,” the report stated. “Nine students received a total of $15,051 in unsubsidized federal loans when they should have received the $15,051 in subsidized federal loans. Unsubsidized loans result in more interest expense to students.”

In its response, university officials said their financial aid counselors had not received the necessary training. However, the errors noted by the auditor were corrected, they said.

Finding #10 showed that the university failed to monitor all of its students who received financial aid to make sure they were making acceptable academic progress.

“As a result, some students who did not meet the university’s (standards) received financial aid awards,” the report stated.

The audit also found that some university employees had access to student information, including financial aid data, that was not pertinent to their jobs.

“This could result in unauthorized or inappropriate transactions,” the report stated.

University officials said they will review employees’ access to information periodically.