Finding Text
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Federal Program Title: Student Financial Assistance Cluster
ALN Numbers: Various
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, we noted the following items:
• Two students in which their roster update was not submitted within 60 days;
• Six students’ enrollment effective date per the institution's records did not match the enrollment effective date per NSLDS;
• One student's program enrollment effective date per the institution's records did not match the -enrollment effective date per NSLDS;
• Three students were reported as full time even though they had officially withdrawn from the University; and • One student did not have their status certified as required every 60 days
Questioned Costs: None
Context: During our testing, it was noted the University does not have a process in place to ensure timeliness and accuracy of NSLDS reporting.
Cause: The University did not have a process in place to ensure the student who graduated or withdrew were reported timely and accurately.
Effect: The University did not comply with Department of Education (ED) regulations by reporting student enrollment status changes timely and timely.
Repeat Finding: Yes - 2023-003
Recommendation: We recommend the University review its reporting procedures to ensure that students’ statuses are accurately and timely reported to NSLDS as required by regulations.
Views of Responsible Officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.