Finding 1200814 (2025-002)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-03-30
Audit: 395824
Organization: Avila University (MO)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The University failed to report student status changes and program-level enrollment data to the NSLDS accurately and on time.
  • Impacted Requirements: Federal regulations require reporting within 30 days of changes, with specific criteria for accuracy and timeliness.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement monitoring policies to ensure timely and accurate reporting; management has initiated corrective actions and training for staff.

Finding Text

Student Financial Assistance Cluster U.S. Department of Education ALNs 84.268, 84.063 Federal Direct Student Loans - Award Year 2025 Federal Pell Grant Program - Award Year 2025 Criteria or Specific Requirement – Special Tests & Provisions: Enrollment Reporting (Pell 34 CFR Section 690.83(b)(2); FDL, 34 CFR Section 685.309). Federal regulations state that enrollment information must be reported to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) website within 30 days of whenever attendance changes for students, unless a complete roster will be submitted within 60 days. These changes include reductions or increases in attendance levels, withdrawals, graduations or approved leave of absence. Institutions are responsible for timely reporting, whether they report directly or via a third-party servicer. Additionally, institutions are required to accurately report the student's Campus-Level and Program-Level enrollment data. Condition – The University did not ensure accurate and timely notification to the NSLDS of student status changes and program-level enrollment data. Cause – Oversight by management. Effect – Notification of student changes was not reported in a timely manner or was reported inaccurately. Questioned Costs – None noted. Context – Out of a population of 949 status changes, 40 changes were tested to ensure the University notified the NSLDS of student status changes in a timely manner and used accurate information. Out of these 40 status changes, there were 26 selected where the campus and program-level record information was not in agreement between the NSLDS and the campus level information. Out of these 40 status changes selected for testing, there were 2 instances in which the student's status change was reported after the 60 day requirement. The sample was not, and was not intended to be, a statistically valid sample. Identification as a Repeat Finding – Yes, see prior year findings 2024-003, 2023-001, 2022-002, 2021-001, 2020-002 and 2019-003. Recommendation – The University should implement monitoring policies and procedures to ensure that notifications are remitted timely and accurately. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions – Management has hired a new Director of Institutional Research and provided training and is aware of the federal regulations surrounding enrollment information that must be reported to the NSLDS. Given the complexity of the reporting, management has established additional policies and procedures to address the errors related to enrollment reporting to the NSLDS in a timely and accurate manner.

Corrective Action Plan

Management is responsible for ensuring accurate and timely reporting of enrollment data to the appropriate governmental authorities. Personnel Responsible for Corrective Action: Josh Dining, Controller Anticipated Completion Date: Corrective action plan will be implemented by June 30, 2026. Corrective Action Plan – Management has provided training and is aware of the federal regulations surrounding enrollment reporting. The financial aid department will make regular updates to NSLDS on a monthly basis to ensure student information is reported accurately and timely.

Categories

No categories assigned yet.

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1200813 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1200815 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 FEDERAL DIRECT STUDENT LOANS $11.05M
84.063 FEDERAL PELL GRANT PROGRAM $5.44M
84.031 HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONAL AID $585,603
84.047 TRIO UPWARD BOUND $310,037
84.042 TRIO STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES $255,936
84.033 FEDERAL WORK-STUDY PROGRAM $112,638
84.007 FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANTS $90,903
47.076 STEM EDUCATION (FORMERLY EDUCATION AND HUMAN RESOURCES) $60,085
84.379 TEACHER EDUCATION ASSISTANCE FOR COLLEGE AND HIGHER EDUCATION GRANTS (TEACH GRANTS) $14,888