Audit 410415

FTimely Enrollment Reporting Information on the Federal Program: Federal Direct Student Loan Program, AL Number 84.268 (Student Financial Aid Cluster) – U.S. Department of Education Criteria: Per 34 CFR 685.309(b)(2)(i), unless the school expects to submit its next enrollment report 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 loan either did not enroll or ceased to be enrolled on at least a half-time basis. Per National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) Enrollment Reporting Guide, Chapter 5 section 1, timely reporting of changes ensures accuracy of student information. Such changes may include changes in campus-level and/or program-level enrollment status. Status of “A” refers to a leave of absence. Condition: The University did not timely report certain changes in student enrollment status to NSLDS. Out of 184 students that withdrew during the fiscal year, 2 did not have their change in enrollment status reported to NSLDS within 60 days. For all students who went on a Regular Academic Hiatus during the Spring 2025 semester, 48 in total, a change in enrollment status was not reported to NSLDS within 60 days. Questioned Cost: $0 Cause: The University did not have effective internal controls in place to ensure that changes in enrollment status due to Regular Academic Hiatus or withdrawal were accurately and timely reported to NSLDS. Effect: Enrollment statuses for affected students were inaccurate or not timely reported to NSLDS. As a result, NSLDS did not contain accurate and timely information regarding the affected students’ enrollment status during the applicable periods. Recommendation: We recommend that the University strengthen its enrollment reporting procedures and related review controls to ensure that all changes in student enrollment status that result in students ceasing enrollment on at least a half-time basis, are accurately reported to NSLDS within required timeframes. Procedures should also include backup responsibilities and supervisory review when key personnel are unavailable. Views of responsible officials and planned corrective actions: The University concurs with this finding and will implement oversight procedures to ensure the enrollment statuses for all students are reported timely to the National Loan Student Database System.

Timely Exit Counseling Notification Information on the Federal Program: Federal Direct Student Loan Program, AL Number 84.268 (Student Financial Aid Cluster) – U.S. Department of Education Criteria: Per 34 CFR 685.304(b), a school must ensure that Direct Loan borrowers receive exit counseling when they cease to be enrolled at least half-time. The school must ensure that exit counseling is provided within 30 days after the school learns that the student has withdrawn or otherwise ceased to be enrolled at least half-time. Condition: The withdrawal report generated during the leave of absence taken by the Registrar at the end of 2025 excluded students whose withdrawal forms were submitted between the last day of the Fall 2025 term and the first day of the Winter 2026 term. This resulted in these students not being notified within 30 days of the requirement to complete exit counseling. This impacted 4 students. Questioned Cost: $0 Cause: The University did not have adequate procedures or review controls to ensure that reports used to identify students requiring exit counseling notifications included all students who withdrew or otherwise ceased to be enrolled at least half-time. In addition, sufficient backup procedures were not in place during the Registrar’s absence. Effect: Four students did not receive timely notification regarding exit counseling. As a result, the University did not comply with the required timeframe for providing exit counseling notification to affected student borrowers. Recommendation: We recommend that the University update its exit counseling procedures to ensure that all students who withdraw or otherwise cease to be enrolled at least half-time are identified and timely notified of the exit counseling requirement. The University should implement controls to validate the completeness of reports used for this purpose and establish backup procedures and review controls when key personnel are unavailable. Views of responsible officials and planned corrective actions: The University concurs with this finding and will implement oversight procedures to ensure that all students who withdraw or otherwise cease to be enrolled at least half-time are identified and timely notified of the exit counseling requirement.