Audit 377500

Information on the federal program – Department of Education – Federal Pell Grant Program, CFDA 84.063; Federal Direct Loan Program, CFDA 84.268 Criteria or specific requirement – Under the Pell grant and loan programs, schools must complete and return within 30 days the Enrollment Reporting roster file. Once received, the University must update for changes in student status, report the date the enrollment status was effective, enter the new anticipated completion date, and submit the changes electronically through the batch method or the NSLDS website. Institutions are responsible for timely reporting, whether they report directly or via a third-party servicer. Unless the school expects to complete its next roster within 60 days, the school must notify the lender or the guaranty agency within 30 days, if it discovers that a student who received a Pell grant or loan either did not enroll or ceased to be enrolled on at least a half-time basis (Direct Loans - 34 CFR 685.309(2))(i); Pell - 34 CFR 690.83(b)(2)). Condition – Notification of the student status change (graduated) did not reach the NSLDS within the required time frame. Questioned costs – None – nonmonetary finding. Context – NSLDS was not provided timely notification for three May and December graduates. Effect – NSLDS did not contain current information with respect to the status of these students. Cause – Due to an administrative oversight, the status of these students were not updated in the Enrollment Reporting Roster File sent to the NSLDS. Identification as a repeat finding, if applicable – N/A Recommendation – We recommend the University monitor and evaluate the schedule reporting dates to the NSLDS and confirm or modify existing policies, procedures, or processes for timely identification to ensure that status changes can be communicated to the NSLDS within the regulatory timeframes. Views of responsible officials and planned corrective actions – All graduate and withdrawn student files will be reviewed on a monthly basis to verify any status changes are reported to NSLDS within regulatory timeframes. Training and professional development will be required for responsible staff to ensure a compliance schedule is developed. Personnel will be evaluated to ensure existing policies, procedures, and processes are followed and supported through corrective action where needed.