Gone are the days of siloing responsibilities and each office working independently. While segregation of duties and internal controls remain vital to a higher education institution’s health, they are insufficient on their own. A failure to thoughtfully consider the related impacts between functional areas or departments creates business risks that may stilt your institution’s ability […]
We are frequently asked, “How will my institution be negatively affected by participating in the Higher Education Act Title IV student financial assistance programs?” Student aid myths abound. Many negative tales are spread by well-meaning people that convince some institutions to not participate in these programs. We have even heard of college presidents, directors, and […]
As you move forward in 2018, you may have already started to act on personal health or financial issues, but not items of concern in your institution’s Federal funding program. Some of those issues may seem insignificant and not worth the effort to review, but if not addressed and acted upon, they will likely result […]
Are you prepared? Have you been adequately securing records? Do you have a disaster recovery plan? What would happen to you, your institution, and your students in the event of a disaster? While the nation is recovering from the most recent storms—Harvey, Irma, and Maria—we reflected on our preparedness at Weber & Associates. We know […]
“Whenever there is a transition to a new president and new political party, there is always a delay in new policy guidance and development, as a new administration makes its plans and chooses its leaders for the tasks ahead.” Harry S. Weber At the U.S. Department of Education, the prior and current administrations seem to […]
Recent audits and U.S. Department of Education program reviews reveal several areas which if mishandled or overlooked can cause problems for institutions. In our efforts to alert you to potential problems, we also offer solutions or procedures to avoid dangers in managing Title IV for your school. Here are a few: Return of Title IV […]
Having survived federal financial aid transactions through eight presidents, I offer my thoughts on the ninth—President Donald Trump—and how his administration may affect the education system and financial aid regulations. Education regulations and programs are initiated by the U.S. Congress and ushered in under a president who does not object and, thus, receives credit for […]
Overseeing the financial aid office is a daunting task with many possible points of failure and a whole new vocabulary. When the office is not running at optimum health, errors and omissions will appear in audits or program reviews by the U.S. Department of Education. Such financial aid office trouble can result in great cost […]
Christian colleges, universities, and schools face a myriad of challenges that threaten much-needed revenue streams. The majority of schools lack substantial endowments and must rely on net tuition dollars to meet growing expenses. This financial challenge is compounded with the following realities in today’s higher education market: Demographics are evolving in ways likely to create […]
People with good academic ideas often don’t consult their financial aid officer before beginning their new venture. That oversight can cost the school and the person with the great idea valuable time, money, and wasted effort. Federal regulations are sometimes ridged, but they are also flexible enough to allow institutions to be creative in developing […]
