Finding Text
National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) Reporting Federal agency: Department of Education Federal program title: Student Financial Aid Cluster Federal Assistance Listing Numbers: 84.063 & 84.268 Federal Pell Grant, Federal Direct Student Loans Federal Award Identification Number: Various Award Period: July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025 Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance, Other Matters Criteria or specific requirement: Institutions are required to report enrollment information under the Pell grant and the Direct loan programs via the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) (OMB No. 1845-0035) (Pell, 34 CFR 690.83(b)(2); Direct Loan, 34 CFR 685.309). Institutions must review, update, and verify student enrollment statuses, program information, and effective dates that appear on the Enrollment Reporting Roster file or on the Enrollment Maintenance page of the NSLDS Professional Access (NSLDSFAP) website. There are two categories of enrollment information; "Campus Level" and "Program Level," both of which need to be reported accurately and have separate record types. The NSLDS Enrollment Reporting Guide provides the requirements and guidance for reporting enrollment details using the NSLDS Enrollment Reporting Process. Condition: During our testing of the Direct Loan and Pell Grant programs, we selected a sample of 40 enrollment changes to test for timeliness and accurate reporting of student status changes to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). 1) 2 Instances were students campus-level and program-level enrollment were not reported to NSLDS. 2) 1 Instance where the students campus-level and program level enrollment effective day did not match the institutions records. 3) 6 instances were a students campus-level enrollment was not reported timely to NSLDS within 60 days of the institution determining the status change. 2 Instances were students never reported. 4) 3 Instances where students campus level enrolment was not certified every 60 days to NSLDS during active enrollment period 5) 3 Instances where the students program level enrollment effective day was incorrectly reported to NSLDS Questioned costs: None Context: Out of a sample of 40 enrollment changes (40 separate students) we noted 10 students with exceptions. 9 students had multiple instances of noncompliance. Cause: The University was unaware of some of the errors which were caused by the transmission of data between their student information system and the third-party servicer. Other errors were caused by processes and procedure deviations at the University. Effect: The NSLDS system is not updated with the student information in time which can cause over awarding should the student transfer to another institution and the students may not properly enter the repayment period. Repeat finding: No Recommendation: We recommend that the University continue to enhance its policies and procedures regarding enrollment reporting including additional monitoring over the third-party service provider to ensure that reporting is completed accurately and timely. Views of responsible officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Management has addressed their corrective action plan in a separately issued letter.