ATLANTA - Federal officials say they may withhold funding from Morris Brown College in Atlanta even as the school launches a recovery plan that could include tuition increases and job cuts. <br>
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The Department of Education could deny federal student aid funding to the historically black private college if the school does not repay money it owes the department of enter into a formal payment agreement. <br>
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Education department spokeswoman Jane Glickman says so far no repayment agreement has been reached. <br>
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Morris Brown owes the department $5.4 million in federal aid it received earlier this year for students who were not enrolled at the school or who did not qualify for the money. <br>
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The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Friday that the department also has determined that Morris Brown owes $100,000 in financial aid funds it received in 1997-98 and has been unable to justify. The newspaper based the information on documents obtained under the federal Freedom of Information Act. <br>
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Federal officials are reviewing audits from other years to determine whether the college must return more money. <br>
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The news comes as an accreditation review was completed Wednesday. Members of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools votes next month on the school's accreditation. <br>
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Morris Brown has been on probation since December for sloppy bookkeeping and failing to have enough instructors with advanced degrees in some subjects.
