Governance Structure
Within the last 10 years, governance in Florida higher education has changed significantly. In November 2002, Florida voters approved an amendment to Article IX, Section 7 of the Florida Constitution, creating a governing Board of Governors (BOG) to oversee the State University System, of which Florida A&M University (FAMU) is a member. The amendment also established a 13-member board of trustees for each university with the powers and duties as established by the Board of Governors. This amendment is codified in the Florida Statutes at Section 1001.70-74.
The university board of trustees is comprised of 13 members as follows: 6 citizen members appointed by the Governor subject to confirmation by the Senate; 5 citizen members appointed by the Board of Governors subject to confirmation by the Senate; the chair of the faculty senate or the equivalent; and the President of the student body of the university. The FAMU Board of Trustees (BOT) is the active policy-making body for the University and is ultimately responsible for ensuring that FAMU’s financial resources are adequate to provide sound educational
programs. Additional information regarding governance is provided in Core Requirements 2.2 and 2.5.
1. History and Characteristics
Florida A&M University (FAMU) was founded in 1887 as the State Normal College for Colored Students and has operated continuously since that time. In 1890, the institution became Florida’s land grant institution for African Americans offering agricultural and mechanical arts education. In 1909, the name of the institution was changed to Florida Agricultural and Mechanical College for Negroes. In 1953, the institution was elevated to university status acquiring its present name of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical
University.
Today, FAMU offers 116 bachelor’s, master’s, specialists, professional, and doctoral degree programs within select cities in the State of Florida with selective enrollment. In Fall 2007, the University enrolled a total of 11,567 students in its undergraduate, graduate and
professional programs with the following composition: 87.29% full-time and 12.71% part-time; 90.1% Black, 4.86% White, 1.09% Asian, 2.00% Hispanic, and .79% other; 59% female and 41% males; 85% in-state residents and 15% out-of-state; 26% freshmen, 14% sophomores, 15% juniors, 23% seniors, 8% graduate, 10% professional, and 2% unclassified; 13% were 18 years of age or younger, 44% were between 19-21 years of age, 32% were between 22-24 years of age, 13% were 25-30 years of age and 7% were over 31 years of age. FAMU considers institutions such as Old Dominion University, Cleveland State University, SUNY at Binghamton, North Carolina A&T State University, and Howard University to be some of its peer institutions.
2. List of Degrees
Major Code CIP Code Degree Program Major
COLLEGE OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
B1171 / B1172 512001 Doctor of Pharmacy Pharmacy
B1181 512099
Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences
Pharmaceutical Sciences
B1182 512201 Master of Public Health Public Health
B1191 512099
Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmaceutical Sciences
Pharmaceutical Sciences
B1192 512201 Doctor of Public Health Public Health
SCHOOL OF ALLIED HEALTH SCIENCES
C1101 510701
Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management
Health Care Management
C1181 510701
Master of Science in Health Care Administration
Health Care Administration
C2101 510706 Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management
Health Information Management
C3181 512308 Master of Science in Physical Therapy Physical Therapy
C4101 510908 Bachelor of Science in Cardiopulmonary Science Cardiopulmonary Science C5181 512306
Master of Science in Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapy
C6101 510000 Bachelor of Science in Health Science Health Science SCHOOL OF NURSING
D1101 511601 Bachelor of Science in Nursing Nursing
D1181 511601 Master of Science in Nursing Nursing COLLEGE OF LAW
E1171 220101 Juris Doctor Law
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES INSTITUTE
01101 030104
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science
Environmental Science
01181 030104
Master of Science in Environmental Science
Environmental Science
01191 030104
Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Science
Environmental Science COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND AGRICULTURE
31101 010102 Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Agribusiness
31201 010000
Bachelor of Science in Agricultural
Science Agricultural Science
31202-T 010000
Bachelor of Science in Agricultural
Science Animal Science
31203-T 010000
Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Science Agriculture Education (This program is currently dormant) 31204-T 010000
Bachelor of Science in Agricultural
31205-T 010000
Bachelor of Science in Agricultural
Science Entomology
31206-T 010000
Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Science Ornamental Horticulture (This program is currently dormant) 31207-T 010000
Bachelor of Science in Agricultural
Science Food Science
31282 010000
Master of Science in Agricultural
Science Agricultural Science
31283-T 010000
Master of Science in Agricultural
Science Food Science
31284-T 010000
Master of Science in Agricultural
Science Agribusiness
31285-T 010000
Master of Science in Agricultural
Science Animal Science
31286-T 010000
Master of Science in Agricultural
Science Entomology
31287-T 010000
Master of Science in Agricultural
Science Plant Science
31291 260702
Cooperative Doctor of Philosophy in Entomology (degree is awarded by
University of Florida) Entomology
31501 010605
Bachelor of Science in Landscape Design & Mgmt
Landscape Design & Management
31601 140301
Bachelor of Science in Biological & Agricultural System Engineering
Biological & Agricultural System Engineering
31701 010701
Bachelor of Science in International Agriculture and Business
International Agriculture and Business
33102/33104 151001
Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering Technology
Construction Engineering Technology
33201 150201 Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering Technology
Civil Engineering Technology
33401/33402 150303
Bachelor of Science in Electronic Engineering Technology
Electronic Engineering Technology
33501 150613
Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing
Engineering Technology Inactive
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
21101 500903 Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance Music
21102 131312 Bachelor of Science in Music Education Music Education
21103-T 131312 Bachelor of Science in Music Education Instrumental Music
21104-T 13.1312 Bachelor of Science in Music Education Choral Music
21105 500910 Bachelor of Science in Jazz Studies Jazz Studies
22101 389999
Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy & Religion
Philosophy & Religion
22102-T 389999
Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Arts in
Philosophy & Religion Philosophy
22103-T 389999
Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Arts in
Philosophy & Religion Religious Studies
22201 500501
Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Arts
inTheatre Theatre
22202-T 500501 Bachelor of Science in Theatre Drama Education
22301 500702
Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Arts in
Fine Arts Fine Arts
22302 131302 Bachelor of Science in Art Education Art Education
23101 230101 Bachelor of Arts in English English
23102 131305 Bachelor of Arts in English Education English Education
23201 160901 Bachelor of Arts in French French
24101 260101 Bachelor of Science in Biology Biology
24102-T 260101 Bachelor of Science in Biology
Biology Pre-Professional
24104-T 131316 Bachelor of Science in Science Education Biology Education
24105-T 260101 Bachelor of Science in Biology
Molecular Cellular Biology
Bachelor of Science in Biology
Organismal, Ecological, and Environmental
24181 260101 Master of Science in Biology
Molecular Cellular Biology
24182-T 260101 Master of Science in Biology Ecological Science
24183-T 260101 Master of Science in Biology Physiology
24201 400501 Bachelor of Science in Chemistry Chemistry
24202-T 131316 Bachelor of Science in Science Education
Chemistry Education
24203-T 400501 Bachelor of Science in Chemistry Pre Med / Dentistry
24204-T 400501 Bachelor of Science in Chemistry Biochemistry
24281 400501 Master of Science in Chemistry Chemistry
24301 270101 Bachelor of Science in Mathematics
Mathematical Sciences
24302 131311
Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education
Mathematics Education
24303 270101 Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Mathematics
20304-T 270101 Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Actuarial Science
24402-T 131316 Bachelor of Science in Science Education Physics Education
24481 400801 Master of Science in Physics Physics
24491 400801 Doctor of Philosophy in Physics Physics
25101 540101
Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Arts in
History History
25102-T 13.1317
Bachelor of Science in Social Science
Education History Education
25103 050201
Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Arts in African-American Studies
African-American Studies
25201 450601
Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Arts in
Economics Economics
25301 451001
Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Arts in
Political Science Political Science
25303-T 451001
Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Arts in Political Science Political Science with Public Management concentration 25304-T 131317
Bachelor of Science in Social Science Education
Social Science with Political Science Education concentration
26101 420101
Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Arts in
Psychology Psychology
26181-T 421701
Master of Science in Community Psychology
Community Psychology
26182 421701 Master of Science in School Psychology School Psychology
26161 421701 Education Specialist in School Psychology School Psychology
27102 430104 Bachelor of Criminal Justice Criminal Justice
Certificate Program in Criminal Justice Criminal Justice
27186 440701 Masters of Social Work Social Work
27183-T 451101 Bachelor of Science in Sociology Sociology
27187-T 450101 Master of Applied Social Sciences Political Science
27188-T 450101 Master of Applied Social Sciences
Public Administration
27189-T 450101 Master of Applied Social Sciences History
27185-T 450101 Master of Applied Social Sciences Sociology
27186 440701 Master of Applied Social Sciences Criminal Justice
28102 110101
Bachelor of Science in Computer and Information Sciences
Computer Information Systems
28103 110101
Bachelor of Science in Computer and Information Sciences
Computer Information Sciences
28181 110101
Master of Science in Software Engineering Science
Software
Engineering Science
SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE
71101 040201
Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies
Architectural Studies
71171 040201 Bachelor of Architecture Architecture
71181 040201 Master of Architecture Architecture
71182 040201 Master of Science in Architecture Architecture
71183 040601 Master of Landscape Architecture
Landscape Architecture
FAMU-FSU COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
41102-T 140801 Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
Environmental Engineering
41181 140801 Master of Science in Civil Engineering Civil Engineering
41191 140801 Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering Civil Engineering
42101 141001 Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
42191 141001
Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
42181 141001 Master of Science in Electrical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
42102 140901 Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering
Computer Engineering
44101 140701 Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
44102-T 140701
Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering
Environmental Engineering
44103-T 140701
Bachelor of Science in Chemical
Engineering Bioengineering
44104-T 140701
Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering
Engineering Materials
44105-T 140701
Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering
Biomedical Engineering
44181 140701 Master of Science in Chemical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
44191 140701
Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
44182 140501 Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical Engineering
44192 140501
Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical Engineering
45101 141901
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
45181 141901 Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
45191 141901
Doctor of Philosophy in Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
46101 143501 Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering
Industrial Engineering
46181 143501 Master of Science in Industrial Engineering
Industrial Engineering
46191 143501
Doctor of Philosophy in Industrial Engineering
Industrial Engineering
SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
51101 520301 Bachelor of Science in Accounting Accounting
52101 520201 Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Business Administration
52181/52182 520201 Master of Business Administration
Business Administration SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AND GRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
61101 090401 Bachelor of Science in Journalism
Newspaper Journalism
61102-T 090401 Bachelor of Science in Journalism
Magazine Production
61103 090401 Bachelor of Science in Journalism
Broadcast Journalism
61104 090902 Bachelor of Science in Public Relations Public Relations
61181 090401 Master of Science in Journalism Journalism
62101 500499 Bachelor of Science in Graphic Communications
Graphic Production
62012 500499 Bachelor of Science in Graphic
62103 500499 Bachelor of Science in Graphic Communications
Graphic Management
62104 500409 Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design Graphic Design COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
11181 130401
Master of Science / Master of Education in Education Leadership
Educational Leadership
11182 131199
Master of Science / Master of Education in Counselor Education
Counselor Education
11183 131201
Master of Science/Master of Education in
Adult Education Adult Education
Master of Science/Master of Education in Secondary Education
Secondary Education
11184-T 131205
Master of Science/Master of Education in Secondary Education
Exceptional Student Education
11185-T 131205
Master of Science/Master of Education in
Secondary Education Math Education
11186-T 131205
Master of Science/Master of Education in
Secondary Education English Education
1381 13.1305 Master of Science in English
Education/Master of Education in English
Education English Education
11191 130401
Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership
Educational Leadership
12101 131202
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
Elementary Education
12102 131210
Bachelor of Science in Pre-Kindergarten/ Primary Education
Pre-Kindergarten / Primary Education
12181 131202
Master of Science/Master of Education in Elementary Education
Elementary Education
13182-T 131317
Master of Science/Master of Education in
Social Sciences Education History Education
13185-T 131205
Master of Science/Master of Education in
Secondary Education French Education
13186-T 131205
Master of Science/Master of Education in Secondary Education
Spanish Education
13187-T 131316
Master of Science/Master of Education in Science Education
Biology Education
13188-T 131316
Master of Science/Master of Education in Science Education
Chemistry Education
13189-T 131316
Master of Science/Master of Education in
Science Education Physics Education
14101 131314 Bachelor of Science in Physical Education
Physical Education
14181 131314
Master of Science/Master of Education in Physical Education
Physical Education
15101 131303 Bachelor of Science in Business Education
Business Education
15102-T 131303
Bachelor of Science in Business Education
Office Administration
15105 131320
Bachelor of Science in Industrial Arts / Technology Education
Technology Education
15181 131303
Master of Science/Master of Education in Business Education
Business Education
15184 131320
Master of Science/Master of Education in Industrial Arts / Technology Education
Technology Education
3. Locations and Distance Education
Notification and/or SACS-COC Approval Date
Description of Substantive Change
Main FAMU Campus Tallahassee, FL FAMU/FSU College of Engineering Tallahassee, FL FAMU Vineyards Tallahassee, FL
FAMU Farm Quincy, FL
MEd, Counselor Education Chattahoochee, FL BS, Criminal Justice
BS, Elementary Education MEd, Educational Leadership
Madison, FL
BS, Elementary Education MEd, Counselor Education
Live Oak, FL
MEd, Educational Leadership Macclenney, FL (Greater Jacksonville-area) BS, Pre-K Primary Education
MEd, Counselor Education PharmD (clinical clerkships only)
Jacksonville, FL
FAMU College of Law Orlando, FL BS, Elementary Education Lakeland, FL PharmD (clinical clerkships only) Tampa, FL PharmD (clinical clerkships only) Miami, FL
b. Distance Education Credit Offerings
Florida A&M University (FAMU) does not have distance education credit offerings that can be obtained primarily through electronic means. Online courses at the University are one of two types:
1. Blended/Hybrid Courses – courses that combine classroom attendance and online instruction with substantial content delivered online, which substitutes for some classroom meetings
2. Enhanced Courses – courses that include substantial use of online resources for content and learning activities with no reduction of seat time.
The University through the Division of Instructional Technology has prepared online courses and is currently developing others to assist with servicing students locally and abroad. Policies and procedures have been established for developing on-line blended/hybrid, enhanced, and fully online distance learning courses. However, as of Fall Semester 2008, FAMU has not offered any fully online courses or programs. During the academic year 2007-2008, FAMU had 498 listed active online course offerings out of 2008 courses posted on the Blackboard LMS.
4. Accreditation
Institution, College or School
Dept/Degree Program
Accrediting Body Last Review Negative Actions in Last
Institution, College or School
Dept/Degree Program
Accrediting Body Last Review Negative Actions in Last
Two Years
Florida A&M University
N/A Southern Association
of Colleges and Schools (SACS) 1998 (full reaffirmation review) 2008 Monitoring Visit Probation; probation removed June 30, 2008
Allied Health Health Care Management (B) Association of University Programs in Health Administration (AUPHA) 2003 None
Allied Health Health Information Management (B)
Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information
Management Education (CAHIM)
2006 None
Allied Health Occupational Therapy (M) Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) 2004 None
Allied Health Physical Therapy (M) Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)
2004 None
Allied Health Cardiopulmonary Science (B) Commission on Accreditation of Respiratory Care (CoARC) 2004 None
Architecture Architecture (BArch, MArch) National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) 2006 None Architecture Landscape Architecture (MLA) Landscape Architec- ture Accrediting Board (LAAB)
Institution, College or School
Dept/Degree Program
Accrediting Body Last Review Negative Actions in Last
Two Years
Arts & Sciences Chemistry (B) American Chemical Society (ACS)
2000 None
Arts & Sciences Social Work (BSW, MSW) Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) 2006 Conditional accreditation; full accreditation restored 2008 Arts & Sciences Computer Science (B) Computing
Accreditation
Commission (CAC) of Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) 2007 (awaiting ABET final action for renewal) None College of Engineering Sciences, Technology, and Agriculture Civil Engineering Technology (B) Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) 2004 None College of Engineering Sciences, Technology, and Agriculture Construction Engineering Technology (B) Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) 2004 None College of Engineering Sciences, Technology, and Agriculture Electronics Engineering (B) Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) 2004 None College of Engineering Sciences, Technology, and Agriculture Biological and Agricultural System Engineering (B) Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) 2007 Show cause; awaiting final ABET action to restore full accreditation
Institution, College or School
Dept/Degree Program
Accrediting Body Last Review Negative Actions in Last Two Years Education Educational Leadership Adult and Continuing Ed Elementary Ed w/ ESOL Endorsement Secondary Ed Art Ed None Business Ed English Ed w/ESOL Trade and Vocation Ed Mathematics Ed Music Ed Physical Ed
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
2004 None
Education (cont.) Social Science Ed Biology Ed Chemistry Ed Dramatic Arts Ed History Ed Political Science Ed Physics Ed School Psychology Guidance & Counseling
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) 2004 (2006 focused visit for graduate programs) None
Institution, College or School
Dept/Degree Program
Accrediting Body Last Review Negative Actions in Last Two Years Pre-Elementary Ed Nursing Nursing (B) (M)
National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) 2002 (B) 2007(M) None Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Pharmacy (PharmD) American Council on Pharmaceutical Education (ACPE) 2008 Probation; probation removed 2008 Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Public Health (MPH) Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
2005 None
School of Journal and Graphic Communication
Journalism (B) Accrediting Council on Education In Journalism & Mass Communication (ACEJMC) 2008 Provisional accreditation; full accreditation restored 2008 School of Journal and Graphic Communication
Public Relations (B) Accrediting Council on Education In Journalism & Mass Communication (ACEJMC) 2008 Provisional accreditation; full accreditation restored 2008 School of Journal and Graphic Communication
Graphic Design (B) Accrediting Council for Collegiate Graphic Communications (ACCGC) 2008 None School of Journal and Graphic Communication Graphic Communication (B) Accrediting Council for Collegiate Graphic Communications (ACCGC)
Institution, College or School
Dept/Degree Program
Accrediting Body Last Review Negative Actions in Last Two Years FAMU/ FSU Engineering Chemical Engineering (B) Civil Engineering (B) Computer Engineering (B) Electrical Engineering (B) Industrial Engineering (B) Mechanical Engineering (B) Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
None
College of Law Law (JD) American Bar Association
2004 (initial provisional accreditation)
5. Relationship to the U.S. Department of Education
The University was cited for escheating Title IV Higher Education Act (HEA) funds. Students who received refunds from Title IV funds were to have received either an electronic funds transfer or University issued check. The University was cited for having stale dated checks for students whose checks were mailed, but returned due to incorrect address information. During the two-year cycle, the University could not prove due diligence for attempting to locate the affected students. Moreover, the University was cited for earning interest from those funds. The University attempted to return the funds for both academic years to the US Department of
Education (DOE) in one lump sum payment. However, the DOE returned the funds to the University and required the University to submit separate payments for each year.
The University substantially addressed the issues surrounding this finding in 2007. The
University strengthened the policies and procedures relating to the funds allocated by the DOE. The University issued a check to the US DOE on May 15, 2008, to satisfy all outstanding findings.
Cash Management – Interest Earnings
The University was cited for not following two requirements for managing federal funds. First, federal funds must be in separate accounts from other University funds. Secondly, federal funds must be deposited in interest bearing accounts. The University corrected these findings by opening a separate interest-bearing account for the federal funds. Since the University had not followed the Federal Perkins Loan (FPL) guidelines, the following has been implemented to compute the interest earned from the FPL and to allocate interest earned back into the program:
1. The University has opened a new interest bearing bank account for federal funds. The FPL funds are included in the new bank account.
2. All FPL transactions are captured in the general ledger (GL) and a FPL fund balance is calculated at the end of every month.
Monthly FPL Interest = (Beginning FPL balance for GL+ Ending FPL Balance from GL)/2 x (Monthly Bank Account Interest Rate).
Eligibility – Over and Under-Awards
Without strong reconciliation practices, inadequate awards were made, resulting in over-payments or under-over-payments. Current reconciliations reveal that funds were due to several federal programs. Procedures have been instituted to ensure over-payments and under-payments are rectified. The University has communicated with the US Department of Education about this matter. A complete review of all office policies and procedures has been undertaken. Effective Spring 2008, the University made the necessary technical adjustments to the PeopleSoft system as well as the procedures and policies that are applicable to Title IV HEA funds. The University has full confidence that all future calculations will be accurate and submitted within the required regulatory timeframes.
Return of Title IV HEA Funds - Official Withdrawals
On May 15, 2008, the University issued a check to the US DOE to satisfy the outstanding overpayments. During the Spring 2008 semester as noted above, the institution made the
necessary technical/program adjustments to the PeopleSoft system as well as the procedures and policies that are applicable to Title IV HEA funds. The University will continue to monitor the official withdrawals process to ensure that all future calculations are accurate and submitted within the required regulatory timeframes.
Return of Title IV Funds – Non Attendance
The University implemented procedures to document class attendance for all students effective the 2005-2006 academic year. These procedures have been reviewed and refined to ensure that class attendance is documented for students who receive failing, incomplete, and withdraw grades. Such eligibility criteria are noted in the PeopleSoft System and are readily available to staff reviewing award packages.
Effective Fiscal Year 2006-2007, the University discontinued the Federal Direct Student Loan (FDSL) Program and switched to the Federal Family Educational Loan (FFEL) Program. To comply with 34CFR 668.165(a), the Office of Student Accounts has implemented the following policies and procedures:
1. Notify a Federal PLUS borrower when the University credits the loan proceeds to the student’s account;
2. Inform FFEL borrowers whose loan proceeds are disbursed to the institution by master check or electronic funds transfer (EFT) and all Federal Perkins Loan borrowers of their right to cancel all or a portion of the loan;
3. Document requests by borrowers to cancel or reduce a Federal Perkins Loan or a FFEL Program loan, including the borrower’s deadline for making the request; and 4. Notify the borrower of the outcome of a Federal Perkins Loan or FFEL Program loan cancellation request.
Should the crediting of a Federal PLUS to the student’s account result in a Title IV credit
balance on the student’s account, the University will obtain the borrower’s authorization either to hold the loan proceeds on the student’s account or to release them to the student. No
authorization is required if the institution pays the credit balance to the borrower.
Special Tests and Provisions—Student Status Changes—Exit Counseling
Effective Fiscal Year 2006-2007, the University discontinued FDSL program and switched to the FFEL program. The student borrowers of FFEL are notified in writing of the exit-counseling requirement and are instructed to go to the Mapping Your Future’s website to complete exit counseling. If the student completes exit counseling, a file is retrieved from the website and uploaded to PeopleSoft by a designee in the Office of Financial Aid. For students who do not complete exit counseling, an open item remains on the student’s financial aid “to do” list. Thirty (30) days after the initial correspondence, a packet of counseling materials is mailed to the student to ensure that each student borrower has been provided counseling materials and that the student participates in and completes exit counseling as required.
The Financial Aid Department has worked with the US Department of Education (DOE) to resolve the two outstanding issues, namely, overpayments and the findings noted in the 2006 audit. On November 9, 2007, the University received notification from DOE that $419,606 of our $422,832 liability had been received. The correspondence noted that the remaining balance of $3,226 is under appeal. The University remitted payment for the entire liability with the exception of the overstated amount that was identified by the University. Further, the
correspondence from the US DOE noted, “The amount under appeal is not due to the Department until the appeal is resolved by the Department.” The nature of the appeal is an error in the dollar amount identified in the final determination letter. Although the University believes that the error was made by DOE and not by the University, the guidelines for appeal, as outlined by DOE, must be followed in order to resolve the calculation error.
The final financial aid annual audit report for FAMU is included in the DOE annual statewide audit of Florida’s public institutions of higher education. This audit is not complete or available to individual institutions until the audit for the entire State University System is complete. Once DOE completes the audit, the Governor will receive a Final Audit Determination, which
encompasses all public institutions of higher education and the President will receive a copy for Florida A&M University. The University has been advised by the Area Case Director not to submit any payments prior to receiving instructions from the US Department of Education. Further, the University received notice on Friday, November 2, 2007, from the Atlanta Regional Office of the Department of Education regarding the status of FAMU’s ability to participate in Title IV, Higher Education Amendments (HEA) programs. The University was granted
provisional certification until September 30, 2010. The reasons listed in the provisional certification are:
1. Unresolved Audit or Audit Liabilities Condition
2. Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on College Probationary Status
Currently, the University does not have any unpaid liabilities or fines. The University is not aware of any audit issues at this time. As previously stated, the University has paid all funds
owed to the US Department of Education. The only funds in question are those under appeal with the US DOE . The University continues to use electronic transfer method and has not had to post a letter of credit on behalf of the Department of Education or any other financial