Finding 1081203 (2024-001)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2024-11-05
Audit: 327382
Organization: Northwest Nazarene University (ID)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: There is a significant deficiency in internal controls over compliance, specifically regarding the reporting of student enrollment status changes to NSLDS.
  • Impacted Requirements: The university failed to report accurate effective dates for enrollment status changes within the required timeframes, violating 34 CFR 685.309.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Review and improve the enrollment roster file processes to ensure accurate effective dates are reported for both "Campus Level" and "Program Level" enrollments.

Finding Text

Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Federal Program Name: Student Financial Aid Cluster – Various Assistance Listing Number: Various Federal Award Identification Number and Year: Various Pass-Through Agency: N/A Pass-Through Number(s): N/A Award Period: July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024 Type of Finding: * Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Over Compliance * Other Matters Criteria or Specific Requirement: The Code of Federal Regulations, 34 CFR 685.309 requires that enrollment status changes for students be reported to NSLDS within 30 days or within 60 days if the student with the status change will be reported on a scheduled transmission within 60 days of the change in status. Regulations require the status include an accurate effective date. In addition, regulations require that an institution make necessary corrections and return the records within 10 days for any roster files that don’t pass the NSLDS enrollment reporting edits. Condition: During our testing, it was noted the effective date reported on the "Enrollment Level" and "Program Level" report in NSLDS was incorrect for the 2 out of the 40 students tested. Questioned Costs: None Cause: The University's processes and controls did not ensure that student status changes and effective dates were properly reported to NSLDS. The effective date should be the student's last date of attendance and academically related activity. Effect: The NSLDS system is not updated with the correct student information which can cause a student to not properly enter the repayment period. Repeat Finding: No Recommendation: We recommend reviewing the components of the enrollment roster file to ensure the correct effective date is reported correctly for both the "Campus Level" and "Program Level". Views of responsible officials and planned corrective actions: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.

Categories

Student Financial Aid Reporting Significant Deficiency Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 504758 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 504759 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 504760 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 504761 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 504762 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1081200 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1081201 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1081202 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1081204 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $12.78M
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $1.76M
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants $180,812
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $144,461
93.859 Biomedical Research and Research Training $72,776
43.008 Office of Stem Engagement (ostem) $31,784
10.017 Specialty Crop Block Grant $15,407
47.083 Integrative Activities $14,713
84.379 Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grants (teach Grants) $6,606