Finding Text
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Education Federal Program Title: Student Financial Aid Assistance Listing Number: Student Financial Aid Cluster Award Period: September 1, 2024 to August 31, 2025 Type of Finding: Material Weakness in Internal Control Over Compliance Other Matters Criteria or Specific Requirement: The Code of Federal Regulations, 34 CFR 685.309 requires that enrollment status changes for students be reported to NSLDS within 30 days or within 60 days if the student with the status change will be reported on a scheduled transmission within 60 days of the change in status. In addition, regulations require the data to include an accurate status and effective date. Condition: During our testing, it was noted the campus enrollment effective date per NSLDS did not match the District's records for 23 out of the 40 students tested. In addition, the change in status was not reported timely for 13 out of the 40 students tested. Finally, for 7 out of 40 students tested, the status in NSLDS did not match the District's records. Questioned Costs: None Context: There were discrepancies between the campus enrollment effective dates and statuses reported to NSLDS and the District's records as well as students did not have their enrollment status change updated timely. Cause: The District's current processes and controls did not ensure that student status changes and effective dates were accurately and timely reported to NSLDS. The effective date should be the student's last date of attendance and academically-related activity. Effect or Potential Effect of Finding: The NSLDS system is not updated with the correct student information, which can cause a student to not properly enter the repayment period. Repeat Finding: No. Recommendation: We recommend the District review and strengthen its reporting procedures to ensure that student statuses are accurately and timely reported to NSLDS, as required by federal regulations. Views of Responsible Officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.