Finding 1205685 (2025-002)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-04-01
Audit: 397395
Organization: East-West University (IL)
Auditor: SIKICH CPA LLC

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The University failed to report changes in enrollment for ten students within the required sixty days.
  • Impacted Requirements: This finding relates to compliance with 34 CFR 685.309 (b) regarding timely enrollment data updates.
  • Recommended Follow-up: The University should enhance collaboration with the enrollment department to ensure accurate and timely reporting in the future.

Finding Text

2025-002: Enrollment Reporting - Student Financial Aid Cluster -Assistance Listing Number 84.007, 84.033, 84.063, and 84.268 - Year Ended August 31, 2025 Criteria: According to 34 CFR 685.309 (b), schools must update enrollment data for students and report to the Secretary in a manner of prescribed format within the required timeframe of sixty days after a student has graduated, ceased attendance or enrolled less than half-time. Condition/Context: During our Enrollment Status Changes testing, we selected forty students for our sample. In our sample of forty we tested twenty graduated students to verify that they were reported within sixty days and we tested twenty current students to note that their student status is reported correctly. We noted ten students were not reported within the required sixty days. We consider this finding to be a significant deficiency relation to the Reporting Compliance Requirement. Statistical sampling was not used in making sample selections. Questioned Costs: $0 Effect: The University did not report ten students’ change in enrollment within the sixty day requirement. Cause: The University’s internal controls did not identify that the student’s enrollment submission was past the required sixty-day requirement. Recommendation: We recommend the University continue to work with the department responsible for the enrollment status submissions to ensure that accurate reporting continues to assure compliance within the required reporting guidelines. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with this finding and response is included in Corrective Action Plan

Corrective Action Plan

2025-002: Enrollment Reporting - Student Financial Aid Cluster -Assistance Listing Number 84.007, 84.033, 84.063, and 84.268 - Year Ended August 31, 2025 Condition Found During our Enrollment Status Changes testing, we selected forty students for our sample. In our sample of forty we tested twenty graduated students to verify that they were reported within sixty days and we tested twenty current students to note that their student status is reported correctly. We noted ten students were not reported within the required sixty days. We consider this finding to be a significant deficiency relating to the Reporting Compliance Requirement. Corrective Action Plan The delay in Enrollment Reporting was due to staffing turnover within the Registrar's Office, which disrupted and delayed normal graduation reporting. East-West University has reviewed and strengthened its enrollment reporting procedures to ensure timely and accurate submission of student status changes. The University has: Filled vacant position and provided training to new staff on reporting requirements. Implemented a cross-departmental review process between the Program Directors, Registrar and Financial Aid offices to verify graduation and updated the National Clearing House enrollment status to meet the reporting requirements. As of Spring 2025 Quarter, all graduates have been reported on time. Responsible Person for Corrective Action Plan Registrar Raymond Zhen, Network Spcialist Xinghua Gou Implementation Date of Corrective Action Plan April 2025

Categories

Reporting Significant Deficiency Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1205676 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1205677 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1205678 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1205679 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1205680 2025-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1205681 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1205682 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1205683 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1205684 2025-002
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.063 FEDERAL PELL GRANT PROGRAM $1.72M
84.268 FEDERAL DIRECT STUDENT LOANS $1.62M
84.031 HIGHER EDUCATION_INSTITUTIONAL AID $345,652
84.268 FEDERAL DIRECT STUDENT LOANS - PLUS LOANS $66,759
84.033 FEDERAL WORK-STUDY PROGRAM $51,592
84.007 FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANTS $49,611