Finding Text
Criteria or specific requirement: The Code of Federal Regulations, 34 CFR 682.610, states that institutions must report accurately the enrollment status of all students regardless of if they receive aid from the institution or not. This includes the enrollment effective date and related enrollment status, which must be reported for both the Campus-Level and the Program-Level, as well as the program begin date. Changes to said status are required to be reported within 30 days of becoming aware of the status change, or with the next scheduled transmission of statuses if the scheduled transmission is within 60 days. In addition, Uniform Grant Guidance (2 CFR 200.303) requires nonfederal entities receiving federal awards establish and maintain internal controls designed to reasonably ensure compliance with federal laws, regulations, and program compliance requirements.
Condition: There were instances in which the College did not report the correct status and effective dates, enrollment was not certified timely, and the status changes were not always reported timely. In addition, the College did not have a control in place to ensure timely and accurate reporting to NSLDS.
Questioned Costs: None
Context: In our statistically valid sample of sixty students selected for National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) enrollment reporting testing, we identified 4 students where the campus enrollment status was not reported correctly, 6 students where the enrollment effective date was not reported correctly, 57 students where the enrollment was not reported timely to NSLDS, and 60 students where enrollment was not certified every 60 days. There was no control in place to ensure timely and accurate reporting to NSLDS.
Cause: The College did not have proper controls or procedures in place to verify students' status in NSLDS matched the institutions records in a timely manner.
Effect: Failure to properly report enrollment status changes on NSLDS could affect the timing of the grace period for repayment of Title IV loans. Additionally, the College was not in compliance with the
requirements to properly report student enrollment data correctly or timely to NSLDS.
Repeat Finding: Yes, Prior year finding 2023-004.
Recommendation: We recommend the College implement an internal control that ensures timely and accurate reporting. We also recommend the College implement changes in process and procedures for NSLDS enrollment reporting and implement an internal control that ensures reporting is both timely and accurate.
Views of responsible officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.