Finding Text
Criteria: Under the Pell grant and direct loan programs, institutions are responsible for timely enrollment reporting to NSLDS whether they report directly or via a third-party servicer such as the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC). Enrollment Reporting in a timely and accurate manner is critical for effective management of the programs. Enrollment information must be reported within 60 days whenever the enrollment status changes for students, unless a roster will be submitted within 60 days.
Condition: We tested NSLDS Enrollment Detail Records for eleven students with changes in enrollment. Out of these eleven students tested, we noted that the NSLDS status was not changed in a timely manner for eight of them.
Cause: The enrollment data transmitted to NSC was not accurate until changes in the status were reported.
Effect: Enrollment statuses in NSLDS for the affected individuals were not correct and may have resulted in improper loan deferments and interest subsidiaries on outstanding loans.
Questioned costs: $-0- Identification of repeat findings: Yes, see FA-2023-002.
Recommendation: The University should work with its Information Technology Department and NSC to determine the root cause of the enrollment reporting issues and develop a corrective action as soon as possible to avoid future reporting inaccuracies. The corrective action should be closely monitored by the Registrar on a regular basis to ensure the process is functioning as intended and resulting in accurate enrollment reporting.
Views of responsible officials: The University agrees with the finding. See Client’s Corrective Action Plan – Single Audit Findings.