Finding 1106529 (2024-001)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-03-25
Audit: 348132
Organization: Wheaton College (MA)
Auditor: Rsm US LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The College failed to report enrollment changes for two students to the NSLDS, violating federal regulations.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with 34 CFR 668.408(a) mandates accurate reporting of student completion or withdrawal status.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The College should enhance its reporting processes and review policies to ensure timely and accurate updates to student status in the NSLDS.

Finding Text

2024-001 U.S. Department of Education (Direct) Student Financial Assistance Cluster: Federal Direct Loan Program (84.268) and Federal Pell Grant Program (84.063) Federal Award Numbers: P268K241617 and P063P231617 Federal Award Year: 2023-2024 Finding: The College did not accurately report enrollment changes at the program level to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). Criteria: Per 34 CFR 668.408(a), an institution offering a group of substantially similar programs must report to the Department of Education if a student completed or withdrew from the program during the award year and the date the student completed or withdrew from the program. Condition: Two students were not reported as withdrawn at the program level in NSLDS. Cause: Due to the timing of the changes, the withdrawal dates had to be manually updated, which resulted in the status changes not being reported at the program level. There was no review of these entries at the program level. Effect: Noncompliance with federal regulations for enrollment reporting at the program level. Questioned costs: None Prevalence: Two of the 25 students selected randomly and tested were not reported in accordance with NSLDS enrollment reporting. The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Repeat Finding: No Recommendation: The College should accurately report all student status changes to the NSLDS. In addition, the College should review its policies and procedures to ensure withdrawal dates are accurately reflected in the enrollment management system and enrollment changes are reported timely. Views of responsible officials: Management agrees with this finding.

Categories

Student Financial Aid Reporting Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 530087 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 530088 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 530089 2024-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 530090 2024-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1106530 2024-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1106531 2024-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1106532 2024-002
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $8.60M
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $2.10M
84.038 Federal Perkins Loan Program $714,345
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants $311,631
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $297,445
97.036 Disaster Grants - Public Assistance (presidentially Declared Disasters) $133,832
10.310 Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (afri) $68,560
93.242 Mental Health Research Grants $41,366
16.525 Grants to Reduce Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking on Campus $19,679
43.001 Science $2,082