A25DC0225 - Recommendation 2.1

We recommend that the Chief Financial Officer for the Department, in conjunction with the acting Chief Financial Officer for FSA, develop sampling and estimation plans for the Pell and Direct Loan programs that will produce reliable estimates. Specifically, the plan should (a) produce appropriate and accurate confidence intervals around a statistically valid point estimate; (b) consistent with 31 U.S.C. section 3352(c)(1)(A), produce an estimate that is otherwise appropriate using a methodology approved by the Director of OMB; or (c) consistent with OMB Circular A-123 Appendix C Part II B(2), include a detailed explanation as to why it is not possible to produce a statistically-valid point estimate and appropriate and accurate confidence intervals around the estimate.