The objective of the audit was to determine whether the Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE) has an adequate process in place to ensure that institutions of higher education (schools) use Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) grant funds appropriately and that performance goals are met. OPE needs to strengthen its oversight processes to ensure that schools use HEERF grant funds appropriately and that performance goals are met. OPE established and implemented several controls to promote transparency and accountability in program administration, including providing guidance and other technical assistance to schools on the appropriate uses of HEERF grant funds, requiring that schools post to their websites or submit to OPE various reports on their uses of funds as well as other information (HEERF reports), and taking steps to expand independent audit coverage for schools. However, OPE did not perform or document several key activities that are essential to effective program oversight.
Report File
Date Issued
Submitting OIG
Department of Education OIG
Other Participating OIGs
Department of Education OIG
Agencies Reviewed/Investigated
Department of Education
Components
Office of Post Secondary Education
Report Number
A20CA0029
Report Description
Report Type
Audit
Special Projects
Pandemic
Agency Wide
Yes
Number of Recommendations
2
Questioned Costs
$0
Funds for Better Use
$0