Finding 1171141 (2025-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-01-30
Audit: 384564
Organization: North Central University (MN)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The reported program dates for students did not match institutional records, leading to inaccurate information in the NSLDS.
  • Impacted Requirements: Institutions must report enrollment status changes within 30 days and certify enrollment every 60 days as per 34 CFR 682.610.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The University should review and improve its reporting policies to ensure timely and accurate updates to NSLDS.

Finding Text

Federal Program – Department of Education, Student Financial Assistance Cluster, Federal Pell Grant Program, Assistance Listing Number 84.063; Federal Direct Loan Program, Assistance Listing Number 84.268. Program Year – June 1, 2024 – May 31, 2025 Criteria or Specific Requirement – Special Tests and Provisions – Enrollment Reporting – 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. 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. This includes the enrollment effective date and related enrollment status, which must be reported for both the Campus-Level and the Program-Level. In addition, at a minimum, schools are required to certify enrollment every 60 days, and respond within 15 days of the date that the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) sends a Roster file to the school or its third-party servicer. In addition, regulations require that an institution make necessary corrections and return the records within 10 days for any roster files that do not pass the NSLDS enrollment reporting edits. Condition – The published program date reported to the NSLDS did not match institutional records. Questioned Costs – None Context – During our testing, we noted for 19 out of 19 students tested, the published program date reported to the NSLDS does not match the program length per the institution’s records. Our sample was not intended to be statistically valid. Cause – Updates for the program length were not sufficient and secondary checks were not performed. Effect – NSLDS did not contain current and accurate information with respect to published program length. Identification as a Repeat Finding – Yes, see 2024-001. Recommendation – We recommend that the University review its policies and procedures around reporting status changes and other enrollment information to NSLDS to ensure timely and accurate reporting. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action – There is no disagreement with the finding. The program length will be corrected for all students.

Corrective Action Plan

There is no disagreement with the finding. The program length will be corrected for all students. Monitoring of Enrollment reporting is now occurring in partnership of the Registrar’s Office and Financial Aid after each National Clearinghouse Reporting Cycle that the Registrar’s Office performs. In addition after gainful employment reporting we will double check our data outputs to look for unintended consequences and troubleshoot.

Categories

Student Financial Aid Special Tests & Provisions

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1171140 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1171142 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1171143 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1171144 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1171145 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 FEDERAL DIRECT STUDENT LOANS $4.34M
84.063 FEDERAL PELL GRANT PROGRAM $2.46M
84.038 Federal Perkins Loan Program $431,889
84.033 FEDERAL WORK-STUDY PROGRAM $114,842
84.007 FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANTS $72,085