Finding 1174858 (2025-002)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-02-21

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Student enrollment changes were not accurately reported to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS).
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with 34 CFR Section 690.83(b)(2) and 685.309 regarding enrollment reporting.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Review and improve processes and controls for enrollment reporting to ensure accurate notifications to NSLDS.

Finding Text

Student Financial Assistance Cluster, ALN 84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans, ALN 84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program, U.S. Department of Education Program Year 2024-2025 Criteria or specific requirement - Special Tests: Enrollment Reporting 34 CFR Section 690.83(b)(2) and 685.309 Condition - Student enrollment changes during the year were not properly communicated to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). Cause - The credentialing level (GEEP) screen in the student information system, Colleague, was not setup appropriately. Program enrollment effective dates for continuing students were reported as the first day of interim classes for Spring 2025 and Summer 2025 regardless of whether the student was enrolled in interim classes. An enrollment change was reported to the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC) but was not reflected in NSLDS. Effect or potential effect - NSLDS was not properly notified of student enrollment status changes. Questioned costs - None Context - Out of a population of 1,118 student enrollment status changes requiring notification transmitted to NSLDS, a sample of 25 student enrollment status changes were selected for testing. Our sample was not and was not intended to be statistically valid. For 17 students, the credential level was incorrectly reported to NSLDS. For 1 student, change in program enrollment status was not reported to NSLDS. For 3 students, the program enrollment effective date was incorrectly reported to NSLDS. Identification as a repeat finding - N/A Recommendation - The University should review processes and controls around enrollment reporting and consider changes to address this finding.

Corrective Action Plan

Northwestern Oklahoma State University agrees with the auditor's findings. The issue is in relation to how the software (Colleague) is currently setup. Northwestern will work on a correction so that moving forward the dates are accurate with the academic year calendar. Northwestern will work to have this done for the next list to be sent to NSLDS.

Categories

Student Financial Aid Reporting

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1174857 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1174859 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1174860 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 FEDERAL DIRECT STUDENT LOANS $5.86M
84.063 FEDERAL PELL GRANT PROGRAM $5.18M
84.425 EDUCATION STABILIZATION FUND $616,538
84.031 HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONAL AID $509,880
84.047 TRIO UPWARD BOUND $301,443
84.042 TRIO STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES $274,386
84.033 FEDERAL WORK-STUDY PROGRAM $140,573
21.027 CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS $117,494
93.788 OPIOID STR $84,515
84.007 FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANTS $67,550
47.076 STEM EDUCATION (FORMERLY EDUCATION AND HUMAN RESOURCES) $9,250