Higher Education Services Corporation - Tuition Assistance Program
Pace University
Issued: December 18, 2012
Link to full audit report 2012-T-1
Purpose
To determine whether Pace University management complied with the Education Law and the Commissioner of Education’s Rules and Regulations when certifying Manhattan campus students for State-funded Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) awards.
Background
Pace University (Pace), a private university located in New York City and Westchester County, offers a wide range of academic and professional programs. Pace currently has more than 14,000 students enrolled in bachelors, masters, and doctoral degree programs. Its annual undergraduate tuition for full-time study is currently $35,320. TAP is an entitlement program designed to provide funds to cover tuition costs for eligible students. Schools receiving TAP payments must certify student eligibility. For the three academic years ended June 30, 2010, Pace certified 6.994 TAP awards totaling $11.2 million that were paid to the school for 2,387 Manhattan campus students. We reviewed a sample of 55 randomly-selected TAP awards totaling $91,888 from that period, as well as other awards that came to our attention during the audit.
Key Findings
- We determined that Pace’s certification procedures are appropriately designed and were substantially complied with during the audit period for the transactions we tested. We therefore concluded there is not a high risk that a significant number of students certified for TAP are in fact not eligible for awards.
- Nonetheless, our tests did disclose ten awards totaling $21,236 that school officials incorrectly certified in error.
- Pace agreed with our determinations and submitted an action plan to address the problems cited in the report.
Key Recommendations
- The Higher Education Services Corporation should recover $21,236 plus applicable interest, from Pace.
Other Related Audits/Reports of Interest
Higher Education Services Corporation:SUNY FIT (2010-T-4)
Higher Education Services Corporation: The New School (2010-T-5)
Higher Education Services Corporation: SBI Campus (2011-T-1)
Higher Education Services Corporation: Touro College (2010-T-1)
State Government Accountability Contact Information:
Audit Director: John Buyce
Phone:(518) 474-3271; Email: StateGovernmentAccountability@osc.state.ny.us
Address: Office of the State Comptroller; Division of State Government Accountability; 110 State Street, 11th Floor; Albany, NY 12236
