Finding 1210727 (2025-002)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2025
Accepted
2026-04-28
Audit: 400011

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Late and inaccurate submissions of student enrollment data to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) have been identified, affecting compliance with federal reporting requirements.
  • Impacted Requirements: The College must ensure timely and accurate reporting of student status, including withdrawals and graduations, as mandated by the U.S. Department of Education.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement a robust review process independent of the preparer for NSLDS reports, and regularly compare internal and external rosters to ensure accuracy and completeness.

Finding Text

FINDING 2025‐002 – Enrollment Reporting Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Student Financial Assistance Cluster U.S. Department of Education Assistance Listing Number: 84.063 Federal Program Name: Federal Pell Grant Program Award Year: 2024-25 Criteria: Pell Grant, Section 34 CFR Section 690.83(b) (2) An institution shall submit, in accordance with deadline dates established by the Secretary, through publication in the Federal Register, other reports and information the Secretary requires and shall comply with the procedures the Secretary finds necessary to ensure that the reports are correct. The National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) is the Department of Education’s (ED) centralized database for students’ enrollment information. It is the College’s responsibility to update this information timely and accurately. The College determines how often it receives the Enrollment Reporting roster file with the default set at every 60 days. Condition and context: 2 submissions of official withdrawals were reported late and not identified prior to submission. 1 submission of a graduated student was not reported timely and not identified prior to submission. 1 submission of an unofficial withdrawal was reported late and not identified prior to submission. 26 students were sampled using a random sampling methodology from a population of 65 withdrawals, and 170 graduates. American Samoa Community College (A Component Unit of the American Samoa Government) Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs Year Ended September 30, 2025 48 Questioned costs: None. Effect: This information is utilized by the Department of Education, the Federal Direct Loan program, lenders, and other institutions to determine in‐school status. However, American Samoa Community College does not participate in loan programs, which limits the effect of non-compliance. Cause: In 2025, additional controls were implemented, including the reconciling of uploaded reports. Unfortunately, this reconciliation was external report to external report, which was not able to identify students who attended and withdrew from the school during the same enroll roster reporting period. As such, this reconciliation was not able to identify these students timely, which resulted in unidentified and late submission. Repeat finding: Yes. Recommendation: We recommended the College ensure the policy is being followed, which requires a review to be performed independent of the individual who prepares the NSLDS roster. We also recommended the College compare internal student rosters to external roster reports to ensure the rosters are complete and accurate in regard to students reported as graduated or withdrawn. Additionally, we recommend the College retain documentation reflecting all formal reviews of the roster. This recommendation was made in the prior year but not effectively, and correction of the reconciliation was necessary. Views of responsible officials and planned corrective actions: The Financial Aid Office ensures strict adherence to NSLDS reporting timelines. Institutionally, enrollment is certified monthly and the school responds within 15 days of the date NSLDS issues a roster file. Any errors identified through the NSLDS are reviewed, corrected and resubmitted within 10 days. To strengthen accuracy, completeness, and compliance, the Financial Aid Office has implemented a dual-review control system. Contact Person(s): Shanell Tilo, Financial Aid Officer Dr. Emilia Le’i, Dean of Student Services Dr. Letupu Moananu, Vice President of Academics, Community, and Student Affairs

Corrective Action Plan

Finding Number 2025-002 Enrollment Reporting ASCC Action Plan - 3 Contact Person(s): Shanell Tilo, Financial Aid Officer, Cr. Emilia Le'i, Dean of Student Services Dr. Letupu Moananu, Vice President of Academics, Community, and Student Affairs Explanation and specific reasons for disagreement with the audit finding or that corrective action is not required (if applicable): No disagreement. Corrective actions taken/planned: The Financial Aid Office ensures strict adherence to NSLDS reporting timelines. Institutionally, enrollment is certified monthly and the school responds within 15 days of the date NSLDS issues a roster file. Any errors identified through the NSLDS are reviewed, corrected and resubmitted within 10 days. To strengthen accuracy, completeness, and compliance, the Financial Aid Office has implemented a dual-review control system; Control #1 - The Processor (Financial Aid Coordinator) is responsible for retrieving the NSLDS Enrollment Roster, performing the initial review, data entry, and status updates. Control #1 cross-checks the roster against the SIS Pell Reconciliation Report (PRER) and ARGOS Enrollment Report. Control#1 identifies and adds students who are currently enrolled and have received Title IV at ASCC or another institution. Upon completion, notifies Control #2 via email for secondary review. Control #2 The Reviewer (Financial Aid Manager) conducts a secondary review to validate accuracy and completeness. Any discrepancies are documented and returned to Control #1 for corrections if necessary. Once data is verified, Control #2 authorizes final processing. Following approval, Control #1 manually reports and adds students via NSLDS website and completes the final sign-off, confirming that all required updates have been reported accurately and timely. A confirmation email is sent documenting the date of submission. A log of all NSLDS submissions is maintained, including submission dates and supporting documentation. The log includes evidence of both the processor and reviewer sign-off to ensure proper documentation and accountability. This tracking was implemented in January 2026 and is now part of the standard operating procedures.

Categories

Student Financial Aid

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.063 FEDERAL PELL GRANT PROGRAM $4.25M
11.028 CONNECTING MINORITY COMMUNITIES PILOT PROGRAM $1.95M
10.511 SMITH-LEVER EXTENSION FUNDING $1.83M
10.203 PAYMENTS TO AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATIONS UNDER THE HATCH ACT $1.33M
93.791 MONEY FOLLOWS THE PERSON REBALANCING DEMONSTRATION $571,299
84.031 HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONAL AID $398,601
93.612 NATIVE AMERICAN PROGRAMS $324,117
84.027 SPECIAL EDUCATION GRANTS TO STATES $248,543
84.002 ADULT EDUCATION - BASIC GRANTS TO STATES $243,765
93.107 AREA HEALTH EDUCATION CENTERS $203,190
10.308 RESIDENT INSTRUCTION, AGRICULTURE, AND FOOD SCIENCE FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT GRANTS $194,460
93.632 UNIVERSITY CENTERS FOR EXCELLENCE IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES EDUCATION, RESEARCH, AND SERVICE $185,511
15.875 ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, AND POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE TERRITORIES $183,259
10.776 BORLAUG EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP PROGRAM $149,253
10.664 COOPERATIVE FORESTRY ASSISTANCE $148,764
10.322 DISTANCE EDUCATION GRANTS FOR INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN INSULAR AREAS $115,741
84.007 FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANTS $103,291
84.033 FEDERAL WORK-STUDY PROGRAM $85,481
10.514 EXPANDED FOOD AND NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAM $77,617
15.423 BUREAU OF OCEAN ENERGY MANAGEMENT (BOEM) ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES (ES) $77,500
15.945 COOPERATIVE RESEARCH AND TRAINING PROGRAMS � RESOURCES OF THE NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM $20,000
15.945 COOPERATIVE RESEARCH AND TRAINING PROGRAMS €“ RESOURCES OF THE NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM $18,100
93.569 COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT $13,621
93.310 TRANS-NIH RESEARCH SUPPORT $8,104
47.076 STEM EDUCATION (FORMERLY EDUCATION AND HUMAN RESOURCES) $5,420
11.473 OFFICE FOR COASTAL MANAGEMENT $5,379
66.716 RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, MONITORING, PUBLIC EDUCATION, OUTREACH, TRAINING, DEMONSTRATIONS, AND STUDIES $4,294
84.425 EDUCATION STABILIZATION FUND $4,200
93.048 SPECIAL PROGRAMS FOR THE AGING, TITLE IV, AND TITLE II, DISCRETIONARY PROJECTS $799