Finding 1180751 (2025-002)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-03-17
Audit: 392422
Auditor: WIPFLI LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The College failed to report 3 out of 25 students to NSLDS on time, violating federal requirements.
  • Impacted Requirements: Schools must report changes in student status within 30 days and ensure accurate enrollment reporting to NSLDS.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement new processes to ensure timely and accurate reporting of all Title IV funded students to NSLDS.

Finding Text

Criteria – Per 34 CFR 685.309, schools must complete and return within 30 days the NSLDS Reporting roster file sent by the Department of Education. Once received, the institution must update for changes in student status, report the date the enrollment status was effective, enter the new anticipated completion date, and submit the changes electronically through the batch method or the NSLDS website. Institutions are responsible for timely reporting, whether they report directly or via a third party servicer. Unless the school expects to complete its next roster within 60 days, the school must notify the lender or the guaranty agency within 30 days, if it discovers that a student who received a loan either did not enroll or ceased to be enrolled on at least a half-time basis. Condition – Our testing disclosed 3 students, out of the 25 students tested, who were not reported to NSLDS or were not reported timely to NSLDS. Cause - There was an oversight by the College. Possible Asserted Effect - The College did not report information accurately or timely to NSLDS. Known Questioned Costs - None Recommendation - The institution should ensure they are reporting all students who received Title IV funding accurately and timely to NSLDS. Views of Responsible Officials – Management agrees with the finding. Upon notification of the situation by Wipfli, Western has identified several new processes to ensure our students are being reported to the NSLDS within the required time frame.

Corrective Action Plan

Upon Notification of the situation by Wipfli, Western had identified several new processes to assure our students are being reported to NSLDS within the 60-day period. 1. Resolved: Western worked with Ellucian Services to review and update our savedlist for National Student Clearinghouse reporting. We discovered the savedlist excluded a subset of student, which prevented their enrollment from being updated correctly. The savedlist is now updated. 2. Update our Admissions Policy (E0200) and Procedure (E0200p9(1)) to direct students on how to officially withdraw from the College. This will help us identify students who do not plan to return to the College. We will create a report of students who officially withdraw from the College and update their status on National Student Clearinghouse website in a timely manner. 3. Identify a process to update the enrollment status for students who receive an extenuating drop for courses. We will develop a report to monitor and update on the National Student Clearinghouse website. 4. Identify a process to update the enrollment status for students who unofficially withdraw from a session 1 course which impacts their enrollment status. We will develop a report to monitor and update the National Student Clearinghouse website. Person Responsible: Lyndsey Thomas, Registrar Projected Completion Date: June 1, 2026

Categories

Student Financial Aid Reporting

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1180744 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1180745 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1180746 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1180747 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1180748 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1180749 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1180750 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.063 FEDERAL PELL GRANT PROGRAM $7.95M
84.268 FEDERAL DIRECT STUDENT LOANS $7.50M
17.261 WIA PILOTS, DEMONSTRATIONS, AND RESEARCH PROJECTS $530,938
84.031 HIGHER EDUCATION_INSTITUTIONAL AID $424,730
84.126 REHABILITATION SERVICES_VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION GRANTS TO STATES $262,642
84.007 FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANTS $147,934
15.114 INDIAN EDUCATION_HIGHER EDUCATION GRANT PROGRAM $143,743
84.116 FUND FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION $136,298
84.033 FEDERAL WORK-STUDY PROGRAM $126,830
84.335 CHILD CARE ACCESS MEANS PARENTS IN SCHOOL $122,274
84.048 CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION -- BASIC GRANTS TO STATES $110,656
84.002 ADULT EDUCATION - BASIC GRANTS TO STATES $75,000
64.111 VETARANS REPORTING FEE $3,728
97.044 ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANT $-4,159