Finding 2231 (2023-001)

Significant Deficiency Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2023-11-20
Audit: 3808
Organization: University of Dubuque (IA)
Auditor: Rsm US LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The University failed to report enrollment changes to NSLDS on time and accurately.
  • Impacted Requirements: Noncompliance with 34 CFR 685.309(b) and 34 CFR 668.22(c)(ii) regarding timely reporting of student status changes.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Review and improve policies to ensure accurate and timely reporting of student withdrawals to NSLDS.

Finding Text

Finding: The University did not timely or accurately report enrollment changes to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). Criteria: Per 34 CFR 685.309(b), a school shall - (1) Upon receipt of an enrollment report from the Secretary, update all information included in the report and return the report to the Secretary in the manner and format prescribed by the Secretary; and within the timeframe prescribed by the Secretary; and (2) Unless it expects to submit its next student updated enrollment report to the Secretary within the next 60 days, a school must notify the Secretary within 30 days if it discovers that a loan under Title IV of the Act was made to, or on behalf of, a student who was enrolled on at least a half-time basis or failed to enroll on at least a half-time basis for the period for which the loan was intended. Per 34 CFR 668.22(c)(ii), the withdrawal date is the date, as determined by the institution, that the student otherwise provided official notification to the institution, in writing or orally, of his or her intent to withdraw. Condition: Four students were not reported as withdrawn within the 60 day timeframe for University's reporting on the roster file submissions. Cause: Students were not within the 60 day roster submission timeframe. Effect: Noncompliance with federal regulations for enrollment reporting. Questioned costs: None Prevalence: Four of the 25 students selected randomly and tested were not reported in accordance with NSLDS enrollment reporting. Repeat Finding: Yes Recommendation: The University should accurately report all student status changes to the NSLDS. In addition, the University should review its policies and procedures to ensure withdrawal dates are accurately reflected in the enrollment management system and enrollment changes are reported timely. Views of responsible officials: Management agrees with this finding.

Corrective Action Plan

Finding: The University did not timely or accurately report enrollment changes to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). Corrective Actions Taken or Planned: The Registrar’s Office submits a monthly report to the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC). Summer is an optional term for students and only students who are enrolled for that semester are submitted to NSC. To ensure withdraw dates during the summer semester are being reported on a timely basis Financial Planning will manually enter dates of withdrawn students to NSC and National Student Loan Data Systems (NSLDS). Students who have withdrawn at the end of the spring semester will be manually entered and monitored closely by the Registrar’s Office who will adjust reporting schedule to ensure timely reporting of withdrawn dates. Person Responsible: Sara Sroka (ssroka@dbq.edu) Anticipated completion date: 10/18/2023

Categories

Student Financial Aid Reporting Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 578673 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $13.34M
84.038 Federal Perkins Loan Program $3.69M
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $2.89M
84.042 Trio_student Support Services $262,814
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants $207,726
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $185,623
84.379 Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grants (teach Grants) $49,508