FAC Explorer

Finding 1201536 (2025-003)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-03-30
Audit: 396098
Organization: Drexel University (PA)
Auditor: PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Drexel University and Salus University failed to report student enrollment changes to NSLDS within the required timeframes, with delays ranging from 64 to 87 days.
  • Impacted Requirements: Schools must certify enrollment for Title IV aid recipients every two months and notify the Secretary within 30 days of discovering any changes in student enrollment status.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Enhance the review process for student enrollment changes to ensure timely and accurate reporting to NSLDS.

Finding Text

Criteria Per National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS Enrollment Reporting Guide 1.4 – At a minimum, schools are required to certify enrollment for all those who are included on your roster file (and Title IV aid recipients at least every two months and within 15 days of the date that NSLDS sends a roster file to the school or its third-party service provider. In accordance with 34 CFR 685.309(b, unless it expects to submit its next updated enrollment report to the Secretary within the next 60 days, a school must notify the Secretary within 30 days after the date the school discovers that a loan under Title IV of the Act was made to or on behalf of a student who was enrolled or accepted for enrollment at the school, and the student has ceased to be enrolled on at least a halftime basis or failed to enroll on at least a half-time basis for the period for which the loan was intended. Condition Drexel University acquired Salus University at the end of FY2024. Given the separate control environments in place during FY2025, each University was treated as a separate population for testing. We examined 25 student records for each University Drexel University Of the 25 students selected for testing, three were reported to NSLDS more than 60 days after the student had left the University, ranging between 64 and 87 days. Additionally, the status change for one student was not accurately reported to NSLDS. The student was originally enrolled at half-time, then withdrew. Prior to reporting the withdrawal to NSLDS, the student re-enrolled as “less than half-time”. The student’s change to withdrawn was never reported to NSLDS. Salus University Of the 25 students selected for testing, graduation status for two were not reported to NSLDS. Cause The Financial Aid office was not aware of student enrollment changes entered by the University Registrar that occurred after the last report to the NSLDS. Effect For these students, the change in status was not reported timely or accurately, as defined in the criteria above. Additionally, loan deferment issues can arise for the graduated students as their status was not reported. Questioned Costs There are no questioned costs associated with this finding.Effect For these students, the change in status was not reported timely or accurately, as defined in the criteria above. Additionally, loan deferment issues can arise for the graduated students as their status was not reported. Questioned Costs There are no questioned costs associated with this finding. Recommendation We recommend that the University enhance the review process for student enrollment changes occurring after reporting to NSLDS to ensure timely reporting of student status changes. Management’s Views and Corrective Action Plan Following these findings are management’s views and corrective action plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Management agrees with this finding. The Office of the University Registrar has reviewed the findings and has implemented the following processes to ensure greater accuracy of reporting student enrollment data to the NSLDS. 1.The following process has already been implemented from the findings of the audit. a.Any student enrollment record update that occurs past the point in time of the lastenrollment file submitted to the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC) will be manuallyreported when the student record is updated within the student database to ensure thedata is reported in a timely manner. i.NLSDS reporting will be spot checked for the update of the data submitted to theNSC to ensure they are reporting the data to NSLDS within the requiredtimeframe of Department of Education standards and practices. The Office of the University Registrar will work with our colleagues in theFinancial Aid Office to receive view access to the NSLDS reporting portal toexpedite the review of the updates.

Categories

Student Financial Aid

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1201519 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1201520 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1201521 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1201522 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1201523 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1201524 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1201525 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1201526 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1201527 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1201528 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1201529 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1201530 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1201531 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1201532 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1201533 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1201534 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1201535 2025-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1201537 2025-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1201538 2025-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1201539 2025-004
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 FEDERAL DIRECT STUDENT LOANS $273.32M
84.063 FEDERAL PELL GRANT PROGRAM $25.96M
93.342 HEALTH PROFESSIONS STUDENT LOANS, INCLUDING PRIMARY CARE LOANS AND LOANS FOR DISADVANTAGED STUDENTS $8.74M
93.310 Trans-NIH Research Support $4.30M
12.431 Basic Scientific Research $4.29M
84.033 FEDERAL WORK-STUDY PROGRAM $2.56M
84.007 FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANTS $2.44M
93.396 Cancer Biology Research $1.51M
12.420 Military Medical Research and Development $1.28M
12.910 Research and Technology Development $1.25M
93.351 Research Infrastructure Programs $1.20M
84.038 FEDERAL PERKINS LOAN PROGRAM_FEDERAL CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS $978,753
12.300 Basic and Applied Scientific Research $922,561
93.918 Grants to Provide Outpatient Early Intervention Services with Respect to HIV Disease $740,729
94.026 AMERICORPS NATIONAL SERVICE AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT RESEARCH COMPETITION 94.026 $721,469
20.205 Highway Planning and Construction $574,863
93.989 International Research and Research Training $540,306
97.151 Fire Prevention & Safety $473,530
93.732 Mental and Behavioral Health Education and Training Grants $452,822
93.153 Coordinated Services and Access to Research for Women, Infants, Children, and Youth $451,572
84.200 Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need $429,220
20.109 Air Transportation Centers of Excellence $415,314
93.084 Prevention of Disease, Disability, and Death by Infectious Diseases $380,384
12.630 Basic, Applied, and Advanced Research in Science and Engineering $364,728
16.560 National Institute of Justice Research, Evaluation, and Development Project Grants $358,495
93.877 Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support $354,410
17.259 WIOA Youth Activities $314,801
84.325 Special Education - Personnel Development to Improve Services and Results for Children with Disabilities $286,250
93.077 Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act Regulatory Research $280,075
93.217 Family Planning Services $254,996
47.070 Computer and Information Science and Engineering $238,866
93.213 Research and Training in Complementary and Integrative Health $230,789
66.047 Hydrofluorocarbon Reclaim and Innovative Destruction Grants $221,176
45.301 Museums for America $218,707
93.575 Child Care and Development Block Grant $195,942
43.099 Science $195,571
11.008 NOAA Mission-Related Education Awards $189,884
93.433 ACL National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research $184,073
93.846 Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Research $182,656
16.566 NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE W.E.B. DUBOIS FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM $181,184
93.350 National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences $171,000
93.226 Research on Healthcare Costs, Quality and Outcomes $158,479
16.839 STOP School Violence $156,992
10.310 Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) $148,169
93.847 Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research $140,413
47.050 Geosciences $139,281
81.049 Office of Science Financial Assistance Program $133,371
93.136 Injury Prevention and Control Research and State and Community Based Programs $117,832
47.078 Polar Programs $117,194
93.286 Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health $113,250
81.086 Conservation Research and Development $111,613
47.079 Office of International Science and Engineering $109,629
64.054 Research and Development $106,905
81.214 Environmental Monitoring/Cleanup, Cultural and Resource Mgmt., Emergency Response Research, Outreach, Technical Analysis $106,028
11.431 Climate and Atmospheric Research $103,149
93.516 Public Health Training Centers Program $102,474
84.129 Rehabilitation Long-Term Training $98,854
20.RD N/A $93,415
93.121 Oral Diseases and Disorders Research $92,776
10.RD N/A $92,084
47.075 Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences $88,893
93.840 Translation and Implementation Science Research for Heart, Lung, Blood Diseases, and Sleep Disorders $84,950
10.025 Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care $82,808
84.120 Minority Science and Engineering Improvement $82,466
94.006 AMERICORPS NATIONAL SERVICE AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT RESEARCH COMPETITION 94.026 $81,637
84.367 Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants (formerly Improving Teacher Quality State Grants) $80,263
89.003 NATIONAL HISTORICAL PUBLICATIONS AND RECORDS GRANTS $77,083
12.750 Uniformed Services University Medical Research Projects $75,946
15.670 Adaptive Science $74,351
81.087 Renewable Energy Research and Development $73,899
93.917 HIV Care Formula Grants $73,547
98.001 USAID Foreign Assistance for Programs Overseas $72,487
11.417 Sea Grant Support $71,769
20.108 Aviation Research Grants $69,424
81.999 N/A $69,151
11.307 Economic Adjustment Assistance $67,284
93.914 HIV Emergency Relief Project Grants $66,418
93.307 Minority Health and Health Disparities Research $60,251
45.024 Promotion of the Arts Grants to Organizations and Individuals $57,009
93.855 Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research $56,871
16.548 Delinquency Prevention Program $55,790
97.044 Assistance to Firefighters Grant $54,327
93.879 Medical Library Assistance $53,860
16.575 Crime Victim Assistance $53,677
19.009 Academic Exchange Programs - Undergraduate Programs $50,304
93.172 Human Genome Research $48,740
45.163 Promotion of the Humanities Professional Development $46,872
19.400 Academic Exchange Programs - Graduate Students $45,457
47.084 NSF Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships $40,592
20.200 Highway Research and Development Program $40,390
93.686 Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America — Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Parts A and B $40,301
93.273 Alcohol Research Programs $39,698
93.853 Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders $38,821
93.940 HIV Prevention Activities Health Department Based $38,658
21.015 Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States $38,576
93.397 Cancer Centers Support Grants $36,970
93.279 Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs $36,859
11.420 Coastal Zone Management Estuarine Research Reserves $35,996
93.395 Cancer Treatment Research $35,285
43.001 N/A $35,030
45.313 Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program $34,504
93.353 21st Century Cures Act - Beau Biden Cancer Moonshot $34,333
47.076 STEM Education (formerly Education and Human Resources) $33,208
21.029 Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund $32,953
16.838 Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and other Substances Use Program $32,871
47.074 Biological Sciences $31,768
93.837 Cardiovascular Diseases Research $31,331
93.999 #N/A $30,000
45.312 National Leadership Grants $28,825
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $26,465
12.RD N/A $25,481
93.113 Environmental Health $25,000
21.027 CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS $24,796
93.242 Mental Health Research Grants $23,166
93.426 The National Cardiovascular Health Program $22,497
93.999 N/A $21,140
93.859 Biomedical Research and Research Training $20,876
15.RD N/A $20,241
66.436 SURVEYS, STUDIES, INVESTIGATIONS, DEMONSTRATIONS, AND TRAINING GRANTS AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS - SECTION 104(B)(3) OF THE CLEAN WATER ACT $19,871
66.509 Science To Achieve Results (STAR) Research Program $19,081
66.511 Office of Research and Development Consolidated Research/Training/Fellowships $18,520
66.466 Geographic Programs - Chesapeake Bay Program $17,865
11.609 Measurement and Engineering Research and Standards $15,884
93.361 Nursing Research $15,734
12.800 Air Force Defense Research Sciences Program $15,000
66.203 Environmental Finance Center Grants $14,771
93.866 Aging Research $14,630
47.049 Mathematical and Physical Sciences $14,527
66.999 N/A $14,337
43.001 Science $13,731
84.015 National Resource Centers Program for Foreign Language and Area Studies or Foreign Language and International Studies Program and Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowship Program $13,248
16.817 Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation Program $12,294
43.008 Office of Stem Engagement (OSTEM) $12,054
93.110 Maternal and Child Health Federal Consolidated Programs $10,556
84.379 TEACHER EDUCATION ASSISTANCE FOR COLLEGE AND HIGHER EDUCATION GRANTS (TEACH GRANTS) $8,883
84.022 OVERSEAS PROGRAMS - DOCTORAL DISSERTATION RESEARCH ABROAD $8,169
66.436 Surveys, Studies, Investigations, Demonstrations, and Training Grants and Cooperative Agreements - Section 104(b)(3) of the Clean Water Act $8,114
15.962 National Wild and Scenic Rivers System $7,561
93.243 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Projects of Regional and National Significance $6,976
45.032 21st Century Museum Professional Program $6,428
93.080 Blood Disorder Program: Prevention, Surveillance, and Research $5,586
15.945 Cooperative Research and Training Programs – Resources of the National Park System $5,489
93.838 Lung Diseases Research $5,141
66.456 National Estuary Program $5,090
66.034 Surveys, Studies, Research, Investigations, Demonstrations, and Special Purpose Activities Relating to the Clean Air Act $5,000
93.399 Cancer Control $4,119
10.464 Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Policy Research Center $3,711
66.306 Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Cooperative Agreement Program $3,708
93.867 Vision Research $2,733
45.149 Promotion of the Humanities Division of Preservation and Access $1,857
20.215 HIGHWAY TRAINING AND EDUCATION $1,812
66.461 Regional Wetland Program Development Grants $1,709
93.270 Viral Hepatitis Prevention and Control $1,120
10.561 STATE ADMINISTRATIVE MATCHING GRANTS FOR THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM $-364
81.135 Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy $-673
47.041 Engineering $-707
93.865 Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research $-877
84.215 Innovative Approaches to Literacy; Promise Neighborhoods; Full-Service Community Schools; and Congressionally Directed Spending for Elementary and Secondary Education Community Projects $-1,612
93.994 Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant to the States $-1,766
93.173 Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders $-8,688
14.U01 N/A $-9,311
93.959 Block Grants for Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse $-18,089
93.998 Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, Surveillance, Research, and Prevention $-60,650
93.982 Mental Health Disaster Assistance and Emergency Mental Health $-72,360