Department of Education 2022-001 Student Financial Assistance Cluster ? Federal Assistance Numbers 84.063, 84.268 Recommendation: We recommend the University evaluate its procedures and review policies in overseeing submissions to the NSLDS completed by the third-party servicer. Additionally, we rec...
Department of Education 2022-001 Student Financial Assistance Cluster ? Federal Assistance Numbers 84.063, 84.268 Recommendation: We recommend the University evaluate its procedures and review policies in overseeing submissions to the NSLDS completed by the third-party servicer. Additionally, we recommend the University review its policies and procedures on reporting enrollment and program information to the NSLDS to ensure that all relevant information is being captured and reported timely in accordance with applicable regulations. Explanation of disagreement with audit finding: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Action taken in response to finding: Item 1: Student Status did not match (1 student) Internal reports in Argos for review will be created to review student status in comparison with NSC and NSLDS reports and records. Particular attention will be paid to withdrawn students, as in the case of the student with this finding. Reports will be reviewed and documented on a monthly basis. Item 2: Effective Enrollment Dates do not match (3 students) For this finding, of the three students, two were withdrawn and one graduated. In addition to the reports mentioned for Item 1, guidance from Ellucian on Banner system indicates that completely withdrawn students must be assigned for the term an enrollment status code with the 'Withdraw Indicator' check box checked. Staff will be instructed to ensure this is done. For graduating students, the graduation date on the extract to Clearinghouse will be a date that matches the final date of the term. This will also be checked on a monthly basis with internal reports and NSLDS. Item 3: Status change reported outside 60-day requirement (3 students) This was due to a timing error where the data sent to NSC was after their transmission date to NSLDS, causing the update to not be sent for several weeks from NSC to NSLDS. This, in conjunction with the five-week winter break, caused the data to be received at NSLDS beyond the 60-day requirement. Having reviewed the NSLDS website, there is a capability to update an individual student there without waiting for NSC transmission dates if there is a concern with timeliness. Our Registrar has coordinated with NSC to verify all transmission dates and ensure ample time to allow updates to reach NSLDS in a timely manner. Item 4: Enrollment Effective Dates and Program Enrollment Dates did not match at NSLDS (2 students) Of the two students with this finding, one was a graduating student. The actions described for graduating students in Item 2 should also prevent this finding. The other student was updated to less than half time following a course drop. In the case where a student changes time status but remains enrolled, the actual date of the drop should be the enrollment and program enrollment date, not the start of the term. Changes in status that are either close to the beginning of term (before the first transmission to Clearinghouse) or are backdated should be verified at NSLDS once the file from NSC has been accepted. Internal reports to find all students with this situation and additional analysis of the NSC reporting process are planned and will be run on a monthly basis. Item 5: Institution's Enrollment Effective Date, NSLDS Enrollment Effective Date, and Program Enrollment Effective Date did not match (1 student) The one student in this finding Withdrew. In a case with the Ellucian action line, the student did not receive an enrollment status code with the 'Withdraw Indicator' checked. The actions described for Item 2 should also prevent this type of finding. Name(s) of the contact person(s) responsible for corrective action: Avery Turner, Thomas Mazzolla Planned completion date for corrective action plan: June 30, 2023