2024-002 – Enrollment Reporting (Significant Deficiency) Department of Education, SFA Cluster; Compliance Requirement Affected – Special Tests and Provisions Condition: The University did not report student enrollment data to the National Student Clearinghouse accurately and within minimum required ...
2024-002 – Enrollment Reporting (Significant Deficiency) Department of Education, SFA Cluster; Compliance Requirement Affected – Special Tests and Provisions Condition: The University did not report student enrollment data to the National Student Clearinghouse accurately and within minimum required timeframe. Criteria: Based on requirements set forth by 34 CFR 685.309(b)(2), the University is responsible for notifying the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) to changes to student’s enrollment data within minimum required timeframes. Cause: The University does not have adequate procedures in place to ensure changes in students’ enrollment statuses are identified and reported in a timely manner. Effect: Enrollment data was not reported timely or accurately to the Department of Education thus, the Department could not properly service the student’s loans. The accuracy of Title IV student loan records depends heavily on the accuracy of the enrollment information reported by institutions. Context: A sample of nine official and unofficial student withdrawals was selected for audit from a population of 63. The test found three student withdrawals that were not in compliance with timely enrollment reporting in NSLDS, the enrollment status for one student was not updated after the student was no longer enrolled on at least a half-time basis, and one student’s enrollment status date reported to NSLDS did not agree to date of withdraw reported on the R2T4 form. Repeat Finding: No. Recommendation: We recommend that the University put procedures in place to ensure that student enrollment statuses are updated in a timely manner. Management Response: The University has modified its withdrawal procedures and instructions related to the requirements set forth by 34 CFR 685.309(b)(2). Related to the findings above, due to staffing turnover, the appropriate test of controls needed to identify changes in a student’s enrollment status was not run in a timely manner. Going forward, the University has informed related staff that the aforementioned test of controls needs to be run at the end of each semester, and upon completion, staff must notify the NSLDS within the required timeframe. If the Federal Audit Clearinghouse has questions regarding this plan, please call Brad Sheriff, PhD, MBA, CMA, Interim Chief Financial Officer at (540) 887-7285. Brad Sheriff, PhD, MBA, CMA, Interim Chief Financial Officer, Mary Baldwin University, 540-887-7285