Finding 1191783 (2025-001)

Assistance Listing, Federal Agency, and Program Name Student Financial Assistance Cluster Federal Direct Student Loan Program, ALN 84.268 and Federal Pell Grants ALN 84.063 Federal Award Identification Number and Year Various Pass through Entity N/A Finding Type - Material weakness and material noncompliance with laws and regulations Repeat Finding - Yes 2024-001 Criteria - The University has 60 days from the date the University determines an enrollment status change to report to National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). The enrollment reporting must be updated for changes in the data elements for the campus record and program record and submitted electronically through the batch method, spreadsheet submittal, or the NSLDS website (34 CFR 685.309). Condition - Of the 40 students selected for enrollment reporting testing, the University did not properly update the student enrollment information for 3 students accurately. Questioned Costs - None If questioned costs are not determinable, description of why known questioned costs were undetermined or otherwise could not be reported - N/A Identification of How Questioned Costs Were Computed - N/A Context - Of the 40 students tested, there were 3 students who withdrew whose status change was not reported to the NSLDS. Cause and Effect - The University did not have a control in place to ensure all enrollment changes are reported accurately to the NSLDS. As a result, certain student status changes were not reported to the NSLDS in an accurate manner. Recommendation - The University should implement controls to ensure student status changes are reported accurately to the NSLDS. These controls should include a thorough review of the enrollment rosters prior to reporting to the NSLDS. Views of Responsible Officials and Corrective Action Plan - Western Michigan University has discontinued the use of manual enrollment status updates in the NSC Student Look Up tool for unofficial withdrawals. The Registrar’s Office now records last date of attendance and withdrawal status directly in the SIS for all students who earn all E and X grades and are determined to have unofficially withdrawn. All unofficial withdrawal records are included in the final enrollment submission for the term, ensuring that withdrawal status and effective dates are transmitted through certified batch files to NSC and NSLDS.