Finding Text
Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program Title: Student Financial Assistance Cluster Assistance Listing Number: Various Award Period: July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025 Type of Finding: • Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance • Other matter Criteria or Specific Requirement: The Code of Federal Regulations, 34 CFR 685.309(b), states schools must have some arrangement to report student enrollment data to NSLDS through an enrollment roster file. The school is required to report changes in the student’s enrollment status, the effective date of the status, and an anticipated completion date as well as program enrollment effective date. Changes to a students' 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. Condition: During our testing, we noted 6 out of the 40 students tested where the students' change in status was not reported in a timely manner. Questioned Costs: None reported. Context: During our testing, it was noted the University identified the status changes outside of their regular enrollment reporting schedule, so the reporting to NSLDS was not done timely. Cause: For 3 of the 6 students, the students were submitted to the National Student Clearinghouse and the Clearinghouse notified the University the reporting was submitted to the NSLDS. However, these students were included on an exceptions report that was not included in the report to NSLDS. Due to personnel changes in the Registrar’s Office, the exceptions report did not get reviewed timely. For the other 3 of the 6 students, the students were submitted to the National Student Clearinghouse, however there was a delay in the Clearinghouse reporting to the NSLDS. Effect: The University did not comply with Department of Education (ED) regulations by reporting student enrollment status changes timely. Repeat Finding: Yes: 2024-001 Recommendation: We recommend the University reevaluate its procedures and review policies surrounding reporting status changes to NSLDS to put a process in place to ensure the student status changes are being reported timely. Views of Responsible Officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.