Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 11, August 30, 2024
(1) The
institutional review will enable the reviewer to express an opinion of the
administrative controls and the compliance aspects of the Police Officer's and
Firefighter's Survivor's Educational Assistance Program at the eligible
institution.
(2) The primary
objectives identified for the reviewer conducting institutional reviews are:
(a) To determine if the institution's records
present information accurately and in conformity with the Police Officer's and
Firefighter's Survivor's Educational Assistance Program Regulations, and
whether all reports are prepared on a consistent basis from one period to the
next;
(b) To determine whether the
institution has implemented, and is utilizing, reasonable procedures and
internal controls for effectively discharging management responsibilities and
for protecting adequately the state's interest;
(c) To review institutional records and
reports on areas of noncompliance; and
(d) Based upon the review, to provide
constructive recommendations to the institution.
(3) The institution shall make all records
and information relative to the Police Officer's and Firefighter's Survivor's
Educational Assistance Program available to the reviewer.
(4) A written report shall be provided by the
reviewer to the institution and shall include;
(a) Any findings of inaccuracies in
institutional reports;
(b) Any
inconsistencies in institutional reports;
(c) Conclusions regarding the adequacy of
administrative controls;
(d) Any
areas of noncompliance; and
(e) Any
recommendations for improvement.
(5) If the eligible institution does not
concur with all items in the written report, a written appeal should be
submitted to the executive director of the Alabama Commission on Higher
Education.
(6) When an
institutional review reveals sufficient problems pertaining to the Police
Officer's and Firefighter's Survivor's Educational Assistance Program at an
institution, the executive director of the Alabama Commission on Higher
Education may:
(a) Impose a temporary
suspension of Police Officer's and Firefighter's Survivor's Educational
Assistance Program payments to the institution;
(b) Suspend the institution from
participation in the Police Officer's and Firefighter's Survivor's Educational
Assistance Program for an indefinite period of time;
(c) Demand payment of any Police Officer's
and Firefighter's Survivor's Educational Assistance Program funds to a student
or repayment of funds to the state of Alabama to remedy a violation of
applicable laws, regulations, agreements, or operating procedures;
or,
(d) Refer any problems to the
Attorney General for appropriate legal action.
(7) A suspended institution may request a
hearing by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education. The institution shall be
notified in writing of the time and place of such Alabama Commission on Higher
Education hearing.
(8) After such
hearing, the Alabama Commission on Higher Education shall determine, at an
official meeting of the Commission, whether to:
(a) Continue the suspension pending the
receipt of any additional information the Commission may require;
(b) Continue the executive director's
suspension subject to limitation or exceptions;
(c) Revoke or lift the suspension and restore
the institution to full participation as authorized under the
regulations;
(d) Terminate the
institution's eligibility for an indefinite period of time;
(e) Demand payment of any Police Officer's
and Firefighter's Survivor's Educational Assistance Program funds to a student
or repayment of funds to the State of Alabama to remedy a violation of
applicable laws, regulations, agreements, or operating procedures;
or,
(f) Take any other appropriate
action the Commission deems necessary, including referral to the Attorney
General for appropriate legal action.
Author: Joseph T. Sutton
Statutory Authority:
Code of Ala.
1975, §§
36-21-100,
et
seq.
