REPORT OF THE

DIVISION III FINANCIAL AID AND AWARDS COMMITTEE

 

 

1. ACTION ITEM.

 

Selection of financial aid audit program participants

 

a. Recommendation. Endorse the following institutions’ participation in the financial aid audit pilot program: Adrian College, Beaver College, Case Western Reserve University, Colby-Sawyer College, Defiance College, Drew University, Kean University, Macalester College, University of Maine-Farmington, Maryville University of Saint Louis, Middlebury College, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Ohio Wesleyan University, Rowan University, University of Scranton, Simpson College, State University of New York – Brockport, Vassar College, Washington University – MO, Wilmington College.

 

b. Rationale. The aforementioned institutions were selected based on positive responses to the committee’s request for participants and the committee’s selection criteria. The committee determined a diverse group of institutions would provide an accurate assessment of the proposed audit program. The criteria included: public, private, non-football, enrollment of less than 1,500, enrollment greater than 1,500, 10 or more sports sponsored, less than 10 sports sponsored, and single gender institutions. No single gender institutions responded to the committee’s request for participants.

 

c. Budget Impact. $100,000 has been previously approved to conduct the pilot program.

 

 

2. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS.

 

a. Financial Aid Audit Pilot Program Timeline – The committee determined that the majority of auditing firms conduct federal audits during the months of June and September. The NCAA financial aid audits will be done in conjunction with the institution’s federal audits in September. The results will be sent to the NCAA national office in September for the committee’s review at its October 2-3 meeting in Indianapolis. Results and any legislative items resulting from the review will be forwarded to the Division III Management Council and President’s Council for their October 22-23 and November 1 meetings.

 


b. Audit Process Presentations. The committee has presented information and received feedback regarding the proposed audit process and compliance checklist at the following meetings:

 

NCAA Regional Rules Seminars in La Jolla, Washington, DC, and New Orleans;

EASFAA (Eastern Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators);

NACDA (National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics);

The Division III Commissioners Association meeting; and

NASFAA (National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators) July 23.

 

 

 

 

Committee Chair: Ellen Shilket, Vassar College

Staff Liaisons: Gordon Finch; Damani Leech