RALEIGH, N.C.
An annual audit of North Carolina A&T State University found 27 percent of the scholarships reserved for the Bookstore Scholarship Fund for needy students were awarded to relatives of university employees.
State Auditor Les Merritt released a report Friday that found three scholarships totaling $10,392 were distributed. The report says there was no formal policy defining eligibility requirements.
Merritt says the university should create a clear policy saying employees should not be allowed to award scholarships to themselves or immediate family members.
“Need-based scholarships should have clear guidelines and be awarded equitably based on the needs of students,” Merritt said in a news release.
A message left for a university official after hours Friday was not immediately returned.
Auditors also found two questionable trips charged to a vice chancellor’s discretionary account totaling $4,769. Twelve of those cases came from excessive mileage reimbursement. The auditor says the expenses were not properly approved.
