Finding 1182109 (2025-002)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-03-23
Audit: 393478
Organization: Bay Path University (MA)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: One student's enrollment status was reported with an incorrect effective date to NSLDS, leading to potential inaccuracies in loan deferment and repayment calculations.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with 34 CFR 685.309(b) and NSLDS guidance on timely and accurate enrollment reporting.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Review and improve enrollment reporting procedures, ensure accurate data reconciliation, retrain staff, and assess system controls for errors.

Finding Text

Finding number: 2025-002 Federal agency: U.S. Department of Education Programs: Student Financial Assistance Cluster Assistance Listing #: 84.063 and 84.268 Award year: 2025 Criteria Per 34 CFR 685.309(b) and NSLDS Enrollment Reporting guidance, institutions must report accurate enrollment status information to NSLDS, including the correct effective date of any status change, within required timeframes. Condition During testing of NSLDS Enrollment Reporting, 1 student out of a sample of 40 had an incorrect effective date reported to NSLDS. The effective date submitted did not match the student’s actual enrollment status change date per the Registrar’s records. Cause The incorrect effective date appears to have resulted from a data entry or system‐mapping error during the enrollment reporting process Effect Reporting inaccurate enrollment information may result in incorrect loan deferment or grace period calculations for the student and may impact the timing of loan repayment obligations. Questioned Costs Not applicable. Perspective Our sample was not, and was not intended to be, statistically valid. Of the 40 students selected for testing, 1 student, or 2.5% of our sample, had an incorrect effective date reported to NSLDS. Identification as a Repeat Finding, if applicable Not applicable. Recommendation The University should review its enrollment reporting procedures, including reconciliation between Registrar records and NSLDS submissions, to ensure effective dates are accurately captured and transmitted. Staff should be retrained as needed, and system controls should be reviewed for potential mapping or timing issues. View of Responsible Officials The University agrees with the finding.

Corrective Action Plan

Finding number: 2025-002 Federal agency: U.S. Department of Education Programs: Student Financial Assistance Cluster Assistance Listing #: 84.063 and 84.268 Award year: 2025 Corrective Action Plan This discrepancy resulted from a data entry error during the enrollment reporting process. Upon identification, the record was corrected and resubmitted to NSLDS with the accurate effective date. To prevent recurrence, the institution is evaluating its procedures to ensure the correct effective date for enrollment changes are reported correctly to the National Student Clearinghouse and NSLDS. Timeline for Implementation of Corrective Action Plan Management anticipates implementing the corrective action as soon as possible, with completion expected by June 30, 2026. Contact Person Stephanie King Executive Director of Student Financial Services

Categories

Student Financial Aid Reporting Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1182107 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1182108 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 FEDERAL DIRECT STUDENT LOANS $36.25M
84.063 FEDERAL PELL GRANT PROGRAM $4.38M
84.038 FEDERAL PERKINS LOAN PROGRAM_FEDERAL CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS $957,146
84.033 FEDERAL WORK-STUDY PROGRAM $421,314
93.732 MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH EDUCATION AND TRAINING GRANTS $373,558
84.007 FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANTS $289,920
84.031 HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONAL AID $286,697
93.884 PRIMARY CARE TRAINING AND ENHANCEMENT $262,628
84.116 FUND FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION $225,827
21.027 CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS $190,350
84.425 EDUCATION STABILIZATION FUND $126,238
84.325 SPECIAL EDUCATION - PERSONNEL DEVELOPMENT TO IMPROVE SERVICES AND RESULTS FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES $126,096
93.243 SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES PROJECTS OF REGIONAL AND NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE $116,531