JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The U.S. Department of Education said an audit showed Florida State College at Jacksonville gave students federal financial aid, even if they did not qualify for the loan.
The school will be required to pay the government back up to $2.8 million. In a statement, the school said staff members approved appeals by students to continue receiving financial aid, specifically Pell Grants, for students who did not qualify for the appeal. The students were declared ineligible to continue receiving financial aid because they were not meeting the academic standards the loans required they keep.
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"It appears that in an effort to help students, our staff approved appeals without required documentation," FSCJ President Steven Wallace said. "We are deeply sorry to those students whose appeals should not have been approved and, because of Florida law, must pay back the aid they received."
If the students cannot provide adequate documentation to show that they do, in fact, qualify for the aid, they will have to pay the school back for the money they received. The school has established a payment plan and will work with the students to execute it.
Wallace said the employees who wrongly approved the loans will be held accountable and disciplinary action will be taken.
Students who wrongly received financial aid will be notified by mail starting next week that they need to provide the appropriate documentation to show their eligibility. FSCJ has established an advocate hotline to assist students. Students who receive the letter are urged to call 904-361-6363 to discuss specific requirements or they can email studentsupport@fscj.edu.