Finding 1179678 (2025-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-03-16
Audit: 392102
Organization: The Methodist University, Inc. (NC)
Auditor: BDO USA PC

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The University failed to report student enrollment for 1 out of 40 selections, indicating a gap in compliance with Campus Level enrollment reporting requirements.
  • Impacted Requirements: Institutions must accurately report enrollment information for federal programs like Pell Grants and Direct Loans via NSLDS, ensuring timely updates and certifications.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Enhance procedures for enrollment reporting, including a two-person sign-off on data submissions and participation in training to improve compliance and accuracy.

Finding Text

Finding 2025-001 Federal Program Information: Federal Direct Student Loan Program (ALN#: 84.268), Federal Pell Grant Program (ALN#: 84.063) Criteria or Specific Requirement: N. Special Tests and Provisions – Campus Level Enrollment Reporting Institutions are required to report enrollment information under the Pell grant and the Direct and FFEL loan programs via the NSLDS (OMB No. 1845-0035), although FFEL loans are no longer made or a part of the SFA Cluster, a student may have a FFEL loan from previous years that would require enrollment reporting for that student (Pell, 34 CFR 690.83(b)(2); FFEL, 34 CFR 682.610; Direct Loan, 34 CFR 685.309; Perkins 34 CFR 674.19(f)). The administration of the Title IV programs depends heavily on the accuracy and timeliness of the enrollment information reported by institutions. Institutions must review, update, and certify 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 which the financial aid administrator can access for the auditor. The data on the institution’s Enrollment Reporting Roster, or Enrollment Maintenance page, is what NSLDS has as the most recently certified enrollment. 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. Condition: The University failed to report student enrollment for 1 out of 40 selections. Cause: Insufficient administrative oversight with respect to Campus Level enrollment reporting compliance requirements. Effect or Possible Effect: The University was not in compliance with the Campus Level enrollment reporting compliance requirements. Questioned Costs: None. Context: The University failed to report student enrollment for 1 out of 40 selections. Identification of Repeat Finding: There was a similar finding, 2024-002, identified during the prior year. Recommendation: We recommend the University enhance its procedures to ensure Campus Level enrollment reporting is submitted. Views of Responsible Officials: To prevent future occurrences of missing campus‑level student enrollment reporting, both the University Registrar and Assistant Registrar will participate in the upcoming NSClearinghouse Academy on Thursday, March 26. This session will provide a refresher on enrollment compliance reporting requirements and offer opportunities to connect with peers and Clearinghouse staff to discuss best practices. Additionally, I will begin collaborating with the MU Database Administrator, Mary Hupp, to compile and review all monthly enrollment reports prior to submission to the National Student Clearinghouse. As part of this strengthened workflow, we will implement a two‑person sign‑off to ensure that both the data extraction and the TXT file mapping are jointly reviewed and verified before transmission. This added step ensures a second review of both the database and the TXT file before transmission, strengthening accuracy, and reducing the likelihood of future omissions. Before the next reporting cycle, the Registrar’s Office will also review and update the current enrollment reporting process documentation in collaboration with Mary Hupp to ensure that all steps, and system validation points are clearly defined and consistently followed.

Corrective Action Plan

FINDING 2025-001 Name of Responsible Individual: Kasi Turner Corrective Action: To prevent future occurrences of missing campus‑level student enrollment reporting, both the University Registrar and Assistant Registrar will participate in the upcoming NSClearinghouse Academy on Thursday, March 26. This session will provide a refresher on enrollment compliance reporting requirements and offer opportunities to connect with peers and Clearinghouse staff to discuss best practices. Additionally, I will begin collaborating with the MU Database Administrator, Mary Hupp, to compile and review all monthly enrollment reports prior to submission to the National Student Clearinghouse. As part of this strengthened workflow, we will implement a two‑person sign‑off to ensure that both the data extraction and the TXT file mapping are jointly reviewed and verified before transmission. This added step ensures a second review of both the database and the TXT file before transmission, strengthening accuracy,and reducing the likelihood of future omissions. Before the next reporting cycle, the Registrar’s Office will also review and update the current enrollment reporting process documentation in collaboration with Mary Hupp to ensure that all steps, and system validation points are clearly defined and consistently followed. Anticipated Completion Date: April 15, 2026

Categories

Student Financial Aid

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1179679 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 FEDERAL DIRECT STUDENT LOANS $22.64M
84.063 FEDERAL PELL GRANT PROGRAM $4.79M
84.033 FEDERAL WORK-STUDY PROGRAM $279,209
84.007 FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANTS $136,603
84.425 EDUCATION STABILIZATION FUND $5,510